Morphometric Investigation of the Occipital Area of the Adult Nigerian Local Dogs

Abstract

The foramen magnum is of great clinical importance especially in neurologic investigations. This study was carried out to investigate the morphometrics of the foramen magnum of the Nigerian local dog using 13 adults (7 males, 6 females). The shape of the foramen magnum in all specimens examined presented an almost oval shape, with no dorsal notch or extension, and closure of the dorsal bone, resembling that previously reported in Alsatian breeds. Average values were obtained for the foramen magnum height, width, index, occipital height, occipital height without foramen magnum and inter-jugular process width and expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The males recorded higher mean values for the foramen magnum height and index relative to the females, while the females recorded higher mean values for the width, occipital height and the occipital height without the foramen magnum relative to the males. None of the parameters measured showed statistically significant differences between the genders (P>0.05). Values obtained for the inter-jugular process width were similar in both genders. Data obtained from this study will find application in pathological neuroanatomy, comparative anatomy and archaeological studies.

Key words: Nigerian local dog, foramen magnum, morphometrics, dorsal notch, occipital area