A Macroanatomical and Morphometric Study on Ossicula Auditus in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

In the study targeted to determine morphometric and macroanatomic features of ossicula auditus in Red foxes. Eight adult Red fox skulls were used in the research. The ossicula auditus were photographed on a dissection microscope after it was removed from the skull. A total of 14 morphometric measurements were taken among the different points of malleus, incus, and stapes in Image J programme. The values of mean of the measurements were obtained and statistically compared in terms of direction (right-left). In Red foxes, the length of malleus as mean right and left 6.95±0.80 mm and 7.28±0.53 mm; the length of the incus was determined as mean 3.30±0.39 mm and 3.50±0.42 mm, and the length of the stapes was determined as mean 1.82±0.16 mm and 2.28±0.21 mm, respectively. While the mean incus length was 2.76±0.12 mm in male foxes, it was 4.04 ±0.45 mm in female foxes. Though the mean length of the malleus was 5.89±0.53 mm in male foxes, it was calculated as 8.33±0.47 mm in female foxes. While the mean stapes length was 1.70±0.14 mm in male foxes, it was 2.40±0.18 mm in female foxes. According to the statistical analysis, LLC*, WBI*, and LM* parameters were found to be significant between genders. LCC* and LRC* parameters were found to be significant in terms of direction. It is thought that this research will contribute to the anatomical studies to be conducted regarding ossicula auditus, and the lack of knowledge in the literature will be eliminated, and surgical operations to be done on this subject.