Comparative macroanatomical study on the lumbosacral plexus of the magpie (pica pica) and chukar partridge (alectoris chukar)

Aim: in the aim of this study is comparatively determination the plexus lumbosacralis and its branches of magpie (Pica pica) and chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) and anatomic differences between two species. Material and method: In the present study, there were used 20 magpies (Pica pica) that found as naturally death and injured in deadly and 20 chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) were bought from ''Chukar-05 Amasya-Merzifon Chukar Partridge Production Farm'' from district of Merzifon in Amasya Country. All animals were sacrificed under anesthesia and body cavity was opened and the blood was drained off and then the body was fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. The nerves forming plexus lumbosacralis were separately dissected and photographed in the both species. Results: It was determined that both in species, plexus lumbosacralis was forming by 8 pieces of (2-9) ventral branches of synsacral spinal nerves, and n. ilioinguinalis was found only in chukar partridge. In addition, it was seen that n. femoralis divided into two branches and then these branches also divided into two caudal branches in magpie, on the other hand, n. femoralis of chukar partridge divided into three branches and then cranial branch also divided into three branches, caudal branch divided into two caudal branches. It was observed that although n. peroneus profundus was the thickest nerve of n. peroneus and located at the end nerve of n. peroneus in magpie, n. peroneus profundus of chukar partridge left from n. peroneus after muscular branches and n. peroneus superficialis run parallel to n. peroneus profoundus. Conclusion: In the present study, it was determined that forming of plexus lumbosacralis and general anatomic distribution of nerves arising from plexus in the both species were similar with other many bird species. However, nerves forming the sacral plexus and their branches were thicker in chukar partridge than magpie.