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Functional Morphology Of Rat Hands And Feet: Correlation With The Ability To Grip Tree Branches During Locomotion, Jessica E. Fonce, Andrew R. Lammers

Undergraduate Research Posters 2013

Anatomy and function are usually closely related. Since locomotion on tree branches is common among mammals, we expect to find that the anatomy of the hands and feet is well-suited toward gripping narrow, cylindrical, branch-like substrates. We hypothesize that the ability of rats to grip arboreal supports relies on musculature responsible for adducting the first digit (thumb and big toe) and opposing medial-most and lateral-most digits. We dissected the hands and feet of four rat cadavers. There is a substantial muscle that may be responsible for the flexion/adduction of the thumb in the hands. We also found lumbricals, and dorsal …