Chicken Thoracic Vertebrae

[curiouschicken2]

Most research articles and anatomy books say that chickens have 14 cervival vertebrae and 7 thoracic vertebrae.

Some notes about the thoracic vertebrae: T1 is unfused, T2-T5 is fused, T6 is unfused, T7 is fused to the lumbosacral.

I dissected a chickens today and saw that the 14th cervical vertebrae had ribs! So if the 14th cervical vertebrae is indeed a thoracic vertebrae, does it mean it has only 13 cervical vertebrae? And does it mean the chicken has 8 thoracic vertebrae contrary to what the articles say? If this is so... then...

T1-T2 is unfused, T3-T6 is fused, T7 is unfused and T8 is fused to the lumbosacral...?

Any ideas?

 

[nurse_turtle]

The bird had a set of cervical ribs. This is not uncommon in humans, but the vertebra is still considered cervical. In case of chicken vertebrae, the vertebra with the extra set of ribs is still cervical #14. Who knew my radiology experience would ever be used here?

 

[curiouschicken2]

Aren't those pointy part pointed backwards also called cervical ribs or transverse processes?

Are the extra ribs on the cervical vertebra some sort of abnormality? How common is it? Thank you!

P/S: You're a vet?

 

[curiouschicken2]

Bump. Sorry this is quite urgent...