Anatomia óssea e muscular da coxa de Tapirus terrestris (Perissodactyla, Taperidae).

The species Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) is known as Brazilian tapir is a mammal of the order Perissodactyla, the only order that which occurs endemic in Brazil, considered largest mammal Brazilian. There are few studies related to their morphology. The study aimed to describe the bones and muscles of the thigh T. terrestris. We used four specimens of T. terrestris fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde. For osteological description, the bones were macerated, cleaned and dried, identified and described. For a description of muscle, the muscles were dissected according to the usual techniques in gross anatomy. For the histological description samples were collected every muscle they have been processed and applied stains hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Orcein Reticulin, followed by analysis by light microscopy. The skeleton of the gluteal region of T.s terrestris consists of hip bone, thigh bone that is formed by the femur. The muscles (M.) that makes up the thigh are M. Tensor fascia lata, M. Biceps femoris, M. Semitendinosus, M. Semimembranosus, M. Gracilis, M. Pectineus, M. Quadriceps femoris, M. Adductor,M. Sartorius and M. quadratus profundus, M. piriformis, M. gemelis e M. obturator internus. Histologically muscles showed striated muscle fibers, collagen fibers, elastic and reticular fibers. We conclude that the T. terrestris have characteristics similar to osteological and muscle of horses, however, some differences were evident fact that can be corroborated by locomotor patterns acquired by the species due to its habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]