Gross and morphometrical studies on the first second and third lumbar vertebrae of blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

The present study was carried out on the cranial lumbar vertebrae (L1, L2 and L3) of adult Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) of either sex. It was revealed that the centrum of cranial lumbar vertebrae was constricted in the middle, but expanded at either end. They presented a rudimentary ventral crest. The intervertebral foramina were often double in the cranial part of the series and were very large further back. The transverse process was a long plate of bone that spread out laterally at right angles from the centrum, being slightly bent forward. The borders of the transverse processes were thin, irregular and presented projections of variable size and form. The dorsal supraspinous processes were broad and flattened plates of bone. These processes were relatively low, wide and perpendicular to the long axis of the vertebrae. The articular processes were well developed and placed further apart than in the thoracic region. They were large and their facets were strongly curved. The mamillary processes were fused with the cranial articular processes and were thick and tuberous. The cranial articular processes were concave and directed medially, whereas the caudal ones were convex and directed laterally. Biometrical observations on different parameters of cranial lumbar vertebrae reflected significance (P<0.05) differences between the sexes of this species.