# Anatomy of the Joints in the Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas)—Part 1: Thoracic Limb

## TL;DR

This paper provides a detailed anatomical guide to the thoracic limb joints of the hamadryas baboon, including ligaments, tendons, and bone structures, supported by color photographs.

## Contribution

The study offers a comprehensive and visually supported anatomical overview of the hamadryas baboon's thoracic limb joints, filling a gap in primate anatomical literature.

## Key findings

- The paper describes the ligaments and associated structures of the hamadryas baboon's thoracic limb joints.
- It includes muscle tendons and bone structures related to each joint, using standard veterinary terminology.
- High-resolution color photographs are provided to support the anatomical descriptions.

## Abstract

The mantled baboon (Papio hamadryas) can be found in zoos and research facilities worldwide. When they are injured and need medical care, knowledge of its anatomy is a prerequisite. Unfortunately, finding the anatomical data of interest in the literature is hampered by its scattered presence in often outdated publications. The skeleton of the mantled baboon was described recently. Now, the joints are portrayed. This first work in a series of three discusses all the ligaments and associated structures of the joints of the front limb. The muscle tendons and the bone structures that are related to each joint are also discussed to offer a contextual approach. Since detailed color photographs of dissections support the main text, this manuscript can serve as a dissection guide.

Awareness regarding the welfare of captive baboons is rising. Consequently, the best possible medical care is offered to injured animals. To this purpose, knowledge of the species-specific anatomy is a prerequisite. However, detailed anatomical reference works on this species, such as overviews or atlases, are sparse. The existing anatomical literature is scattered in often outdated works or elaborates on a specific detail. Veterinarians responsible for the medical care of captive baboons, therefore, habitually rely on human anatomical atlases. As overviews of the baboon joint morphology are particularly sparse, this first study in a series of three aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the arthrology of the thoracic limb of the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas). The several synovial joints present in the shoulder region, elbow region, and hand are included. Not only the typical connective tissue elements that form the joints but also the associated muscle tendons are depicted. The osseous structures to which these components attach are identified as well. Standard veterinary terminology is used, complemented by human anatomical nomenclature where the former falls short. High-resolution color photographs support the text, allowing this work to serve not only as a dissection guide for veterinary and academic use but also as a baseline for clinical medical care and future research in primate morphology and biomechanics.