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Abstract

The technique of chemical maceration, clarification, assembly and anatomical description of a swan's skeleton was carried out. It was observed that the cranium with orbits was separated by the interorbital septum and a developed beak. The vertebral column was constituted by cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae (which were fused, constituting the synsacrum) and by caudal vertebrae. It was observed that the pygostyle consists of four and six fused caudal vertebrae. The vertebral column has pairs of ribs, with vertebral and sternal portions. The sternum is an extensive bone which has a large keel in the ventral direction. On the dorsal cranial surface of the sternum there are several foramens. The scapular girdle of the swan is formed by the scapula, coracoid and clavicle. The scapula is long and flat, extending caudally, and parallel to the vertebral column. The scapula articulates cranially with the coracoid and the clavicle, and participates with the former in the formation of the cranial extremity of the sternum. The forelimb is constituted by humerus, radius, ulma, carpometacarpus, digits (4) and phalanges. The pelvic gridle is long and narrow, constituted by the ilium, ischium and pubis which form the acetabulum that articulates with the head of the femur. The hindlimb is constituted by femur, tibia, fibula, tarsometatarsus and digits (4) with their nails in distal phalanges.