| dc.description.abstract | This study was conducted to observe the anatomical structure of pelvic and thigh muscles in Javan porcupine included their origins and insertions in order to describe the possible functions of each muscles. This study used two specimen of adult male porcupines preserved in 10% formalin. Observations carried out by observing the outer morphology of pelvic and thigh regions. Determination of structures, origins, and insertions of each muscles was done by dissecting the superficial and deep layers and the muscles were named according to the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria 2005. The muscles which found in pelvic and thigh regions were the cutaneous, psoas minor, iliopsoas (psoas major and iliacus venter lateral et medial), quadratus lumborum, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus superficialis, gluteus medius, piriformis, gluteus profundus, biceps femoris, abductor cruris caudalis, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, quadriceps femoris (vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis), gemelli, obturatorius externus, obturatorius internus, sartorius, gracilis, pectineus, adductor longus, and adductor magnus et brevis. The results showed that Javan porcupine has unique structure of pelvic and thigh muscles that is the prominent of cutaneous muscle was extended up to the pelvic and thigh regions, the quadratus lumborum with two bellies, and the course of biceps femoris and semitendinosus which reached up to the sacrum and coccygeal regions. The structure of these pelvic and thigh muscles are sugested to be related with the adaptation and behavior of Javan porcupine during erecting the quills, rattling the tail quills, rushing enemies, and digging burrows. | en |
