Developmental Anatomic Studies on the Triceps brachii and Biceps brachii Muscles in Red Sokoto Goat (Capra hircus)

Objectives: Triceps brachii and biceps brachii are important muscles for animal’s functionality and useful to clinicians during intramuscular drug administration. This study investigated the gross, morphometric and histological developmental pattern of these muscles.

Methods: In this study nine wasted goat fetuses obtained at different trimesters, and three adult goat forelimbs making a total number of twelve animals were used, the study comprised of both male and female subjects, although sexual dimorphism was not considered. The triceps brachii and biceps brachii muscles were dissected out and gross, morphometric and histological evaluations were done.

Results: At the first trimester the two muscles were grossly observed to be small, thinner, soft and slimy on palpation. Progressive increments in muscle sizes and firmness on palpation as well as decreased slimy texture of the muscles were observed across advancement in ages from the second through the third trimester stages. At the adult stage the two muscles were larger in size, heavier and firmer on palpation. The morphometric values all showed significantly (p<0.05) increased values across chronological age advancement of the studied animals. Histologically muscle development was observed to commence by the laying down and condensation of mesenchymal cells which subsequently produced myoblast, and evidently the developing of muscle fascicles and muscle fibres, perimysial spaces and all other features of skeletal muscle were evident.

Conclusion: Knowledge on these studied muscles may not only bridge the gap on paucity of information on the developmental anatomy of these muscles, but could also find application in clinical practices.