Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/1353
Scientific nameStruthio camelus
CollectionHunterian
CategoryWet preparations
DescriptionA portion of the spinal cord from the neck of an ostrich.
The dura mater has been removed and the posterior part dissected to show the depth of the dorsal longitudinal fissure.
Black bristles have been inserted into the central canal and the roots of a pair of spinal nerves are shown in detail.
Production date Estimated 1760 - Estimated 1793
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 4: The Long Gallery
Physical Information
Physical descriptionWet preparation of tissue mounted in a circular glass jar with a glass lid.
Materialglass (material)
Struthio camelus
Dimensions
whole height: 134 mm
whole diameter: 50 mm
whole weight: 300 g
whole diameter: 50 mm
whole weight: 300 g
Bibliography
SourceDobson 1970-71
Transcript1353: A smaller portion from the same region of the spinal cord. The dura mater has been removed. In the posterior part of the specimen the right dorsal column of the cord has been cut away to show the depth of the dorsal longitudinal fissure. A black bristle has been inserted into the central canal. The roots of a pair of spinal nerves are shown in detail. The dorsal root breaks up before entering the cord into nine or ten rootlets, whose several, points of entrance into the cord lie in a straight line, some 15 mm. in length, upon its lateral border. The ventral root rises from the cord near the mid-ventral line by three main rootlets. The dorsal and ventral roots run for some distance (20 mm.) before uniting. At the point of union lies the large ganglion of the dorsal root.
