Figure 1: Osteology and putative soft tissues of the Confuciusornis hindlimb.
From: Cellular preservation of musculoskeletal specializations in the Cretaceous bird Confuciusornis
Specimen MES-NJU 57002 (right lower limb), showing position of sections. (a,b) Three-dimensional digital images, constructed from microCT scan data, showing approximately dorsal (a) and plantar (b) views of the right distal hindlimb and positions of sections. (c,d) Close-up view of the ankle joint in approximately medial (c) and lateral (d) views. (e–g) Photomicrographs of the ankle joint before sectioning (e), in section 1 (f), and in section 2 (g). (h) Approximately sagittal microCT slice showing positions of horizontal microCT slices. (i–p) Continuous horizontal microCT slices across the distal tibiotarsus (i–l) and proximal tarsometarsus (m–p). cl, condylus lateralis; cm, condylus medialis; crl, crista lateralis; crm, crista medialis; hr, hypotarsal ridge; mt, metatarsal; S1/S2, sections 1/2; sb, spongy (cancellous/trabecular) bone; st, soft tissue; su, sulcus; tib, tibiotarsus; tmt, tarsometatarsus. Scale bar, 5 mm in a–e and g, 500 μm in f, 1 mm in h–p.
