Caudal Vertebrae

Features of certain caudal vertebrae (usually the fourth to sixth) are the hemal arches, small V- shaped bones attached to the caudal ends of the ventral surfaces (see Fig. 2.12/9). Short hemal processes are found in similar positions on several more segments. They offer protection to the vessels on the ventral surface of the vertebra. Congenital anomalies of the cat tail include the distinctive Manx "bob" and the kinking formerly common in Siamese, which has been largely bred out of the modern breed.