EECF Close-up

A close-up of the entepicondylar foramen (EECF) of a small, Early Miocene mustelid

This canal occurs near the distal end of the humeri of many mammal taxa. In life, the EECF is traversed by the median nerve and the brachial artery.

The EECF is present in didelphids (opossums) and in shrews and moles! (Micro-fossil collectors take note.)

The EECF is present in felids; in viverrids (all Old World); in amphicyonids (bear-dogs); in mustelids (weasels and skunks); and in procyonids (raccoons).

The EECF is absent in hyaenids, bears, and canids.

An EECF is absent on the humeri of perissodactyls (horses, tapirs, et al.)

It is absent on the humeri of artiodactyls (antelopes, camels, et al.)

It is absent in lagomorphs (rabbits and related taxa).