Clinical Implications of Craniometric Indices of the One-Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) to Oral Health and Clinical Regional Anaesthesia of the Head.

Authors

1 Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

2 Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 30 indices were estimated in the mandible, maxilla and frontal bones of 30 adult and 12 young camels in Nigeria. The mandibular length was over 38cm while diastemal length was slightly over 6cm. The thickness of the mandibular body was significantly lower in the young camels compared to the adult. Various osteometric landmarks that will aid the tracking of mental, mandibular and supraorbital nerves were reported with no significant differences observed in most mandibular indices in adult camels between sexes and between camels in the different geographical locations studied. However, significant differences were found in all indices studied between young and adult camels. The craniometric information provided in this study will be important for camel handlers, camel clinicians and particularly for the regional anaesthesia of the head region.

Keywords