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Snake Musculoskeletal System (view source)
Revision as of 17:42, 22 April 2010
, 17:42, 22 April 2010no edit summary
==Vertebrae and ribs==
==Vertebrae and ribs==
The number of dorsal vertebrae may number from 80 to over 400. Each of these (except the first two) has a pair of ribs that form a tube to protect the internal organs. The vertebrae have more articulating facets than in mammals and this results in great mobility. The ribs extend to the ventral scales to which they are attached by muscles. Caudal autotomy may occur in some species of colubrids.
The number of dorsal vertebrae may number from 80 to over 400. Each of these (except the first two) has a pair of ribs that form a tube to protect the internal organs. The vertebrae have more articulating facets than in mammals and this results in great mobility. The ribs extend to the ventral scales to which they are attached by muscles. Caudal autotomy may occur in some species of colubrids.
[[Category:Snake_Physiology]]
[[Category:Snake_Anatomy]]