Anatomy of the propatagium: The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus).

Abstract

Skinfolds and feathers form the profile of the avian airfoil. The wing of birds has a nearly flat profile from shoulder to carpus, without the presence of the propatagium. The propatagium is the largest skinfold of the wing; it fills the angle formed by the partially flexed elbow, and with its feathers forms a rounded leading edge and dorsally cambered profile added to the cranial aspect of the wing. The propatagium is variably deployed, relative to elbow extension, in flight; support for its cambered shape is maintained by multilayered collagenous and elastic tissue networks suspended between leading edge and dorsal antebrachium. The leading edge ligament (Lig. propatagiale) courses from deltopectoral crest to carpus and, with its highly distensible center section, supports the leading edge of the propatagium across a range of wing extensions. The elbow extension limiting ligament (Lig. limitans cubiti) courses from deltopectoral crest to proximal antebrachium and limits maximum elbow extension. M. deltoideus, pars propatagialis inserts on the proximal end of the common origin of the propatagial ligaments and, by way of the insertions of the two ligaments, coordinates (1) automatic flexion / extension actions of the elbow and wrist, (2) propatagial deployment, and (3) tension along the length of Lig. propatagiale supporting the leading edge. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.