Abstract
The rat controls the form of its tail, from straight to curved, by contraction and relaxation of its four tail muscles. The tendons of these muscles insert on any of the cranial articular, transverse, and hemal processes of each of 24 coccygeal vertebrae (Co5–Co28). In this study, we isolated for the four coccygeal muscles each muscular fascicle segment inserting on any process of the coccygeal vertebrae. We measured the length and weight of all muscular fascicles and tendons, and then divided all muscular fascicles into four groups based on their insertion: Co5–Co10, Co11–Co16, Co17–Co22, and Co23–Co28. Moreover, we used soft X-ray imaging to investigate the geometrical relationship between neighboring coccygeal vertebrae. Additionally we carried out serial sectioning at the sacral and caudal portions, and traced the course of the tendons of coccygeal muscles from their origin to the Co4 level. We discuss which muscles and tendons play important roles when coccygeal vertebrae bend along and rotate around the longitudinal axis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akatani J, Wada N, Tokuriki M (2000) Electromyographic and kinematic studies of tail movements during falling in cats. Arch Ital Biol 138:271–275
Bennett DJ, Gorassini M, Fouad K, Sanelli L, Han Y, Cheng J (1999) Spasticity in rats with sacral spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 16:69–84
Brink EE, Pfaff DW (1980) Vertebral muscles of the back and tail of the albino rat (Rattus norvegicus albinus). Brain Behav Evol 17:1–47
Ellender G, Feik SA, Carach BJ (1988) Periosteal structure and development in a rat caudal vertebra. J Anat 158:173–187
Feik SA, Storey E (1982) Joint changes in transplanted caudal vertebrae. Pathology 14:139–147
Feik SA, Storey E (1983) Remodelling of bone and bones: growth of normal and transplanted caudal vertebrae. J Anat 136:1–14
Hebel R, Stromberg MW (1986) Myology. Anatomy and embryology of the laboratory rat. BioMed Verlag, Worthsee, pp 25–45
Hughes PC, Tanner JM (1970) A longitudinal study of the growth of the black-hooded rat: methods of measurement and rates of growth for skull, limbs, pelvis, nose-rump and tail lengths. J Anat 106:349–370
Kasuga N, Kato M, Kanamaru K (1988) Variation of sarcomere length, sarcomere number and titanic tension of skeletal muscle during postnatal growth in mice. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med 37:46–50
Kawamoto T (2003) Use of a new adhesive film for the preparation of multi-purpose fresh-frozen sections from hard tissues, whole-animals, insects and plants. Arch Histol Cytol 66:123–143
Kiley-Worthington M (1975) The tail movement of ungulates, canids and felids with particular reference to their causation and function as displays. Behaviour 56:69–115
Lawler RR, Stamps C (2002) The relationship between tail use and positional behavior in Alouatta palliata. Primates 43:147–152
Mendel F (1976) Postural and locomotor behavior of Alouatta palliata on various substrates. Folia Primatol 26:36–53
Shinohara H (1999) The musculature of the mouse tail is characterized by metameric arrangements of bicipital muscles. Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn 76:157–170
Storey E, Feik SA (1986) Remodeling of bone and bones: effects of altered mechanical stress on the regeneration of transplanted bones. Anat Rec 215:153–166
Thompson J (1970) Parallel spindle systems in the small muscles of the rat tail. J Physiol 211:781–799
Walker C, Vierck CJ Jr, Ritz LA (1998) Balance in the cat: role of the tail and effects of sacrocaudal transaction. Behav Brain Res 91:41–47
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hori, H., Fukutani, T., Nakane, H. et al. Participation of ventral and dorsal tail muscles in bending movements of rat tail. Anat Sci Int 86, 194–203 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-011-0110-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-011-0110-1