# CT Anatomical and Morphometric Study of the Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes): Cervical Vertebrae

## TL;DR

This study uses CT scans to describe the anatomy and measurements of cervical vertebrae in young male red foxes, aiding in veterinary diagnostics and research.

## Contribution

The novel use of CT scans to provide detailed morphometric data on immature male red fox cervical vertebrae without harming specimens.

## Key findings

- Some cervical vertebrae parameters like VBH and VBL showed no significant differences across sites.
- Parameters like SPH, TPL, and TPW showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the cervical site.
- TPL was highest in the first cervical vertebra.

## Abstract

It is necessary to produce basic anatomical information for clinical examinations and necessary surgeries owing to the presence of the red fox in the wild and the health risks for these animals. In addition to being important in diagnosing animal injuries, imaging techniques provide the usual anatomical view of different body structures used in many studies. This study investigated the typical morphological and morphometric characteristics of normal, immature, and healthy male fox cervical vertebrae using a CT scan. A CT scanner with two detectors was used in the study. Several parameters were measured in five normal immature male and healthy foxes, and the results were evaluated. Some parameters, including vertebral body height (VBH) and vertebral body length (VBL), did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05) in the cervical site, but some parameters, including spinous process height (SPH), transverse process length (TPL), and transverse process width (TPW), had significant differences (p < 0.05) in the cervical site. VBH had a constant measure from the second cervical vertebra to the seventh vertebra. The value of TPL varied from the first to the seventh cervical vertebra, and the highest measure was observed in the first vertebra. This study presents a complete and precise description and morphometric evaluation of cervical vertebrae in immature male red foxes using a CT scan. No specimen was killed, and anatomical studies were conducted through a CT scan technique as an essential feature of this study.