The major blood vessels of the wing of the ostrich (Struthio camelus)

Abstract

The major blood vessels of the ostrich wing were studied by dissection of the wings of 8 ostriches. The axillary artery entered the caudo-ventral aspect of the wing and divided into the brachial and deep brachial arteries. The deep brachial artery gave rise to the radial and ulnar collateral arteries which supplied the caudodorsal aspect of the brachium. The brachial artery divided in the cubital fossa into the smaller ulnar and large radial arteries. The ulnar artery supplied the cranio-ventral aspect of the antebrachium and manus, and the radial artery the caudo-ventral and dorsal aspects of the antebrachium and manus, including the feathers. With few exceptions the veins corresponded with the arteries that supplied the region they drained. The basilic vein passed along the cranial margin of the wing, unaccompanied by arteries or nerves, to drain the major part of the wing. The brachial artery and the basilic veins were the vessels most accessible for arterio- and venipuncture, respectively.