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Cat, Skeleton, Lateral View, labeled 93L.10001

Vertebrate Anatomy

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Anatomy and Physiology I

What adaptations to a bipedal upright lifestyle are evident in the human skeleton when

compared to the cat skeleton?

Humans have a lumbar curve in the spine that throws the shoulders back and places the center of gravity

over the pelvis and hind legs;

The ilium of the pelvic girdle is broad and flaring providing a large surface for attachment of musclesthat hold humans erect;

Leg bones are longer and stronger than arms;

The distal ends of the femur bones are brought close to the midline, giving humans a knock-kneed

appearance, but places the foot under the projection of the bodys center of gravity which enables

humans to balance easily on one foot when the other is off the ground when walking;

The foot has lost its ability to grasp since the toes are short and parallel to each other; the heel bone islarge, the tarsals and metatarsals form supporting arches and the great toe is enlarged to allow push-off

when walking;

The head is balanced on the top of the vertebral column;

Hands are used not for locomotion but for carrying and making things.

Differences between human and cat skeleton:

Cats skeleton consists of 244 bones--40 more than the human skeleton.

Backbone - A cat's backbone has more bones than a human's, partly due to counting the bones in a cat'stail. A cat's vertebrae is also less tightly connected than a human's, making the spine far more flexible

than our own.

Collarbone - Cats do have a collarbone, of sorts, but it is very small in size. This allows a cat the abilityto narrow or manipulate its shoulders far more than a person can, and they can usually squeeze their

bodies through any opening they can fit their head through.

Cats walk on their toes, their steps cushioned by pads, helping them to move silently and swiftly.

Pelvis and shoulders are more loosely attached to its spine than in most other quadrupeds.

The cat's great leaping ability and speed are due in part to its powerful musculature. Its tail provides

balance when jumping or falling.

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Anatomy and Physiology I