ANATOMICAL STUDIES ON THE SPINAL-CORD SEGMENTS OF THE IMPALA (AEPYCEROS-MELAMPUS)

The anatomy of the spinal cord segments was studied and recorded for t he impala. The root attachment lengths were greatest at C3, T10 and L3 cord segment levels in the respective regions. As to the root emergen ce length the greatest lengths were observed at C-7, T10, L5 and S1 co rd segment levels respectively. The interroot interval was longest at C2, T8 and L1 segments respectively. The longest cord segments were C2 , T13, L2 and S2 segments. The widest cord segments of their respectiv e regions were C-7, T1, L5 and S1 cord segments. As to segment volume C3, T13, L2 and S1 were the most voluminous cord segments in the respe ctive cord regions. Statistical analysis revealed a high correlation a mong all of the study parameters suggesting a high degree of multicoli nearity. Gross anatomical relationships concerning the location of the spinal cord segments with respect to the vertebrae were studied. The cord segments C1, T1-T4 and L1-L3 were within their vertebral limits. In the impala the spinal cord terminated at the midlevel of S4 vertebr a.