Development of Vertebral Column of Buffalo

In general the cervical vertebrae were developed from three principal centers of ossification. Atlas showed total three ossification centers. Axis showed total four ossification centers. The location of ossification for neural arch and body of axis were first appeared at 64 days of gestation in Buffalo. Thoracic vertebrae developed from four ossification centers. The lumbar vertebrae were developed from three ossification centers. Sacral vertebral ossification centers showed 3 for each vertebra. The first four thoracic vertebral developed each from three centers of ossification. The cartilaginous activity of the sternum was first identified histologically at 54 days as the bilateral cores of cartilage cells. The location of ossification in the sternal segments was central, unpaired and continued to the area of 7th sternal segment. Ossification was first noted in the shaft of the ribs from 2nd to 6th at 59 days and at 64 days all ribs. The secondary ossification centers have appeared on the heads of first 6 pairs of ribs at 155 days and tubercular facets were identified radiographically at 181 days in the ribs. In one specimen, the incidence of supernumerary ribs was also noted.