Red panda anatomy

Early accounts of the red panda focused on its external appearance and craniodental features, but subsequent anatomical studies have provided a range of information on the organs, glands, vasculature, and musculoskeletal system. Many of these studies have focused on features related to the red panda’s specialized bamboo diet, such as the skull and muscles of mastication and the radial sesamoid and its associated musculature. Most recently, researchers have utilized imaging techniques to document the ontogeny of the skeleton and the normal radiographic anatomy of the red panda. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of what is currently known about the anatomy of this intriguing species.