Foot Musculature of the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): An Anatomical Study

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a New World monkey that was introduced as an animal model in biomedical research in the 1960s. In addition to their use in biomedical research, marmosets are also often housed in zoos. Their arboreal lifestyle requires a well-functioning foot. When confronted with foot injuries, the veterinarians responsible for the medical care of captive marmosets request easily available, clearly presented anatomical data. In addition, this anatomical data will be very valuable to gain a better understanding of marmosets’ locomotion. The scarce books and atlases on the anatomy of this species provide only line drawings, use archaic nomenclature, and/or exclude details on the foot. Color photographs were taken during the subsequent steps of the dissections of four common marmoset cadavers. Both dorsal and plantar views of the crural muscles with influence on the tarsus and foot, as well as the intrinsic foot musculature, are described in the guiding text. Contradictions with the available literature and a comparison with the rhesus monkey are included. A few remarkable differences with the rhesus monkey’s foot were observed. Furthermore, noteworthy additions to the existing literature are made. It is concluded that this work could serve as an anatomical basis for medical interventions on injured feet and for further locomotor studies.