A comparison of muscle fiber characteristics at different levels of the vertebral column in the rhesus monkey

The vertebral muscle fiber characteristics of adult female rhesus monkeys have been examined. Muscle samples were obtained from precisely defined superficial and deep sites on both sides of the vertebral column. In particular, samples were collected from three different levels of the column and the muscle fiber characteristics from all these different sites were compared. It is clear that in the rhesus monkey at least, muscle fiber characteristics are dependent on the vertebral level although not necessarily on the side of the vertebral column.