Anatomic Study of the Elbow Joint in a Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Gross Dissections

SIMPLE SUMMARY: We present a report describing the normal elbow joint anatomy in a Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gross dissections of this region. Anatomical findings detected using MRI of the different bony and soft tissues were evaluated according to the characteristics of signal intensity and compared with the corresponding gross anatomical dissections. The main anatomical structures were labelled and identified. This study provides a valuable resource for veterinarians, biologists, and researchers involved in Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) conservation. ABSTRACT: The objective of our research was to describe the normal appearance of the bony and soft tissue structures of the elbow joint in a cadaver of a male mature Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) scanned via MRI. Using a 0.2 Tesla magnet, Spin-echo (SE) T1-weighting, and Gradient-echo short tau inversion recovery (GE-STIR), T2-weighting pulse sequences were selected to generate sagittal, transverse, and dorsal planes. In addition, gross dissections of the forelimb and its elbow joint were made. On anatomic dissections, all bony, articular, and muscular structures could be identified. The MRI images allowed us to observe the bony and many soft tissues of the tiger elbow joint. The SE T1-weighted MR images provided good anatomic detail of this joint, whereas the GE-STIR T2-weighted MR pulse sequence was best for synovial cavities. Detailed information is provided that may be used as initial anatomic reference for interpretation of MR images of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) elbow joint and in the diagnosis of disorders of this region.