Macroscopic Anatomic Study of Gastrocnemius, Superficial Flexor Digitorum and Soleus Muscles of Coati (Nasua nasua)

Abstract

Coati (Nasua nasua) taxon is poorly described, since the contribution to knowledge and development of biological system from this specie, so this paper aimed analyzes and describes the anatomy of the gastrocnemius, superficial flexor digitorum, and soleus muscles in Coati. The present study demonstrate that racoon gastrocnemius of Coati, located within caudal part of leg, is a robust muscle in relation to physical size of the animal. One head of muscle is medial and other relatively larger than medial, medial head originates from the plantar surface of distal end of femur and lateral head epicondyle incorporate by a common tendon with soleus muscle at distal aspect of calcaneus. Superficial flexor digitorum muscle is a long muscle, whose womb is surrounded by heads of gastrocnemius muscle. Its origin is common with lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle and its insertion is in plantar aponeurosis, after it crosses calcaneus distally. Soleus muscle is a long, flat muscle, deep to gastrocnemius and superficial flexor digitorum muscles, whose origin is the head of fibula and surrounding areas. The common insertion of the soleus muscle with the gastrocnemius muscle forms the Achilles tendon.