Topography of the medullar cone in lesser anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

aiming at the search of data to the topography of the medullar cone, three adult lesser anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla), all males,  were dissected, which were previously fixed in 10% aqueous formalin solution, and maintained in similar solution. Following skin incision, epiaxial musculature and vertebral arches were removed, in the whole extension of the vertebral column, was observed a very long and thin medullar cone, with his base located at first lumbar vertebra (L1) and the apex between L5 and L6 vertebrae. This Tamandua Tetradactyla presented six lumbar vertebrae.