Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

Cross-Sectional Morphology and 3D Computed Tomography of the Head in the European Badger (Meles meles)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
2 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3 DVM student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
Abstract
The present investigation explores the cranial anatomy of the European badger (Meles meles) through computed tomography (CT), aiming to fill existing gaps in wild-carnivore osteology and supply a reliable imaging benchmark for veterinary practice. Given the limited CT-based documentation of mustelid skulls, this work addresses a critical need for precise anatomical references in wildlife medicine. Five adult female cadavers (body mass 8.85–10.32 kg), collected in Semnan Province, Iran, underwent high-resolution scanning (Siemens Somatom Spirit). Volume-rendered 3D models and multiplanar transverse slices disclosed a stout zygomatic arch, an enlarged infraorbital foramen, and sharply defined external sagittal and nuchal crests—features linked to powerful mastication and burrowing. The frontal sinus appeared expansive, conferring structural rigidity, whereas the maxillary recess and sphenoid sinus were compact yet distinct. Within the nasal cavity, elongated dorsal nasal conchae, a midline septum, and a robust vomer with pronounced ventral grooves collectively optimize olfactory performance. Unlike earlier linear morphometric reports, these volumetric data reveal previously undescribed internal compartmentalization and spatial relationships. The study thus furnishes a diagnostic foundation for cranial trauma, neoplasia, and sinus pathology in wild carnivores while highlighting CT’s superiority in capturing species-specific functional morphology.
Keywords
Subjects

  1. Kurek P, Piechnik Ł, Wiatrowska B, Ważna A, Nowakowski K, Pardavila X, Cichocki J, Seget B. Badger Meles meles as ecosystem engineer and its legal status in Europe. Animals. 2022; 12(7): 898. doi: 10.3390/ani12070898
  2. Lacitignola L, Samarelli R, Zizzo N, Circella E, Acquafredda C, Stabile M, Lombardi R, Staffieri F, Camarda A. CT Findings and histological evaluation of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) with chronic head trauma injury: a retrospective study. Animals. 2021; 11(4): 1010. doi: 10.3390/ani11041010
  3. Rasouli B, Yousefi MH. Skull, mandible and hyoid apparatus in the Indian grey mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii): a comprehensive anatomical study. Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia. 2023; 52(3): 373-380. doi: 10.1111/ahe.12897
  4. Díaz Martínez E, Arencibia Espinosa A, Soler Laguía M, Ayala Florenciano MD, Kilroy D, García García MI, Martínez Gomariz F, Sánchez Collado C, Gil Cano F, Jaber JR, Ramírez Zarzosa G. The bony nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of big felids and domestic cat: a study using anatomical techniques, computed tomographic images reconstructed in maximum-intensity projection, volume rendering and 3D printing models. Animals. 2024; 14(17): 2609. doi: 10.3390/ani14172609
  5. Gross‐Tsubery R, Chai O, Shilo Y, Miara L, Horowitz IH, Shmueli A, Aizenberg I, Hoffman C, Reifen RA, Shamir MH. Computed tomographic analysis of calvarial hyperostosis in captive lions. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound. 2010; 51(1): 34-38. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2009.01619.x
  6. Mahdy MA, Zayed M. Computed tomography and cross‐sectional anatomy of the head in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia. 2020; 49(6): 708-717. doi: 10.1111/ahe.12584
  7. Aslan Kanmaz Y, Güzel BC, Baygeldi SB, Karan M. Three‐dimensional modelling and morphometric analysis of skull of badger (Meles meles) with computed tomography images. Veterinary Medicine and Science. 2024; 10(2): e1360. doi: 10.1002/vms3.1360
  8. Rasouli B, Adibi M, Jahankhani A, Zehtabvar O. Anatomical and Radiographical Studies of the Skull in Adult European badger (Meles meles). Iranian Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2025; 17(1): 75-83. doi: 10.22067/ijvst.2024.87654.1392
  9. De Rycke LM, Gielen IM, Van Meervenne SA, Simoens PJ, van Bree HJ. Computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy of the brain in clinically normal dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 2005; 66(10): 1743-1756. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.1743
  10. Mohyeddin H, Rasouli B, Dehghani A. Anatomical study of nasal cavity and surrounding sinuses in Sangsari sheep through CT scan images. Iranian Veterinary Journal. 2023; 18(4): 98-105. doi: 10.22059/ijvm.2023.352411.1005310
  11. Moreno‐Aguado B, Carrera I, Holdsworth A, Agthe P, Maddox TW, Trevail T. CT findings in 20 dogs and six cats with confirmed nasal foreign bodies. Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound. 2020; 61(4): 417-426. doi: 10.1111/vru.12862
  12. Racheva V, Peshev D, Zlatanova D. First data on capture, marking and radio-telemetry of badger (Meles meles L.) in Bulgaria. Biotechnology and Biotechnological Equipment. 2009; 23(sup1): 418-21. doi: 10.1080/13102818.2009.10818451
  13. Díaz Martínez E, Arencibia Espinosa A, Soler Laguía M, Kilroy D, Martínez Gomariz F, Casas García DL, Sánchez Collado C, Gil Cano F, Jaber JR, Ramírez Zarzosa G. An anatomical study using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and rhinoscopy of the nasal cavity of domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus L.) and big cats: lion (Panthera leo leo L.), leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya L.), and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus S.). Animals. 2024; 14(8): 1172. doi: 10.3390/ani14081172
  14. Yilmaz O, Demircioğlu İ. Examination of the morphometric features and three-dimensional modelling of the skull in Van cats by using computed tomographic images. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. 2021. doi: 10.33988/auvfd.795343
  15. Yousefi MH. Anatomical study of the Iranian brown bear's skull (Ursus arctos): a case report. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine. 2016. 10(3): 237-244.
  16. Moselhy A, Mahdy E. Comparative three dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans and anatomical investigation of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and cat (Felis domestica) skull. Slovenian Veterinary Research. 2019; 56 (22-Suppl).
  17. Ramos J, Viegas I, Pereira H, Requicha JF. Morphometrical study of the European shorthair cat skull using computed tomography. Veterinary Sciences. 2021; 8(8): 161. doi: 10.3390/vetsci8080161
  18. Curtis AA, Van Valkenburgh B. Beyond the sniffer: frontal sinuses in Carnivora. Anatomical Record. 2014; 297(11): 2047-2064. doi: 10.1002/ar.23022
  19. Scaglione FE, Schröder C, Degiorgi G, Zeira O, Bollo E. Cranial malformations in related white lions (Panthera leo krugeri). Veterinary Pathology. 2010; 47(6): 1095-1099. doi: 10.1177/0300985810371306
  20. Singh B. Dyce, Sack, and Wensing's textbook of veterinary anatomy. 5th ed. USA: Saunders St. Louis, Missouri; 2018. 284-290.

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 17 May 2026

  • Receive Date 09 November 2025
  • Accept Date 17 May 2026
  • First Publish Date 17 May 2026