Comparison of the morphometric features of the left and right horse kidneys: a stereological approach.

The aims of this study were to determine the total volume of the horse kidney and volume fractions of its functional subcomponents (cortex, medulla, renal pelvis) using stereological methods and investigate any possible difference in the functional subcomponents of the right and left kidneys that may arise from differences in shape. The study was carried out on the kidneys of 5 horses of different breed and sex. The weight of the kidneys was measured by a digital scale, and kidney volume was calculated by Archimedes' principle. Total kidney volume and volume fractions of subcomponents of the right and left kidneys were estimated by the Cavalieri's principle. The weights of the right and left kidneys were 550 ± 25 g and 585 ± 23 g, respectively. The volumes of the right and left kidneys estimated using the Cavalieri method were 542 ± 46 ml and 581 ± 29 ml. The relative organ weight of the kidneys was calculated as 1:330. The densities of the right and left kidneys were determined to be 1.01 and 1.00, respectively. The mean volume fractions of the cortex, medulla and renal pelvis were determined as 55.6, 42.7 and 1.7 in both kidneys. No statistically significant difference existed between morphometric data pertaining to the right and left kidneys (P > 0.05). To determine precisely whether differences in shape cause any difference in the functional subcomponents of the right and left kidneys requires further investigation of differences in the number of microscopically functional unit of the kidney such as renal glomeruli and nephrons.

The distribution of the coronary arteries in the Angora rabbit.

The aim of this study was to determine the origin, course, termination and anastomosing of the coronary arteries in Angora rabbits. Eight adult healthy male Angora rabbits were used. Coloured latex was injected into the ascending aorta. A. coronaria sinistra of the Angora rabbit had larger diameter than a. coronaria dextra. It was divided into r. proximalis atrii sinistri, r. interventricularis paraconalis and r. circumflexus sinister in six Angora rabbits as well as r. septi interventricularis in two. R. septi interventricularis that stem directly from a. coronaria sinistra in two animals and from r. interventricularis paraconalis in six was a principal vessel responsible for the septum interventriculare. R. marginis ventricularis sinistri originating from r. circumflexus sinister was the most prominent artery on the auricular surface of the heart. R. interventricularis subsinuosus was not detected in Angora rabbits examined. A. coronaria dextra, crossing the sulcus coronarius immediately after its origin, ran obliquely in direction of the sulcus interventricularis subsinuosus to supply the right portion of the heart. The ventricular and septal branches of a. coronaria sinistra and a. coronaria dextra ran subepicardially at the beginning then intramyocardially and mostly parallel to the muscle fibres as surrounded by a thin adipose tissue. Their atrial branches were seen continuously to run subepicardially.

The distribution of the cardiac veins in angora rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

This study was carried out to describe the ramifications of the cardiac veins of Angora rabbit. For this purpose, a total of 16 adult healthy Angora rabbits of both sexes, 1.5-2 years of age, were used. The great, middle, right cardiac veins ran in a subepicardial course and opened into the left cranial vena cava, but some tributaries of the right cardiac veins sometimes also joined various portions of the right atrium. The smallest cardiac veins followed subendocardially and terminated in the right chambers of the heart. Based on their origin, course and frequency, it was concluded that the smallest cardiac veins are primarily responsible for the drainage of the interventricular septum. Results from this study are thought to shed light on further heart-related medical studies, and to contribute considerably to the present anatomical knowledge of the cardiac veins in this species.

Morphological studies on Meckel's diverticulum in geese (Anser anser domesticus).

This study was carried out to reveal the morphological features of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) in geese. For this purpose, a total of 36 adult healthy geese of both sexes, 50-52 weeks of age, were used. The mean weight of MD in male was found to be significantly larger than that of female. It was located a little distal to the midpoint of the small intestine in both sexes. It had a lot of lymphoid tissues, the simple columnar epithelium and a small number of crypts, and was a lack of villi, and its muscularis mucosae was very thin. Results from this study are thought to throw light on future studies on MD and proper diagnosis of pathological disorders related to it, and to contribute considerably to the present anatomical knowledge on MD in geese.

Comparative macroanatomic investigations of the venous drainage of the heart in Akkaraman sheep and Angora goats.

This study was carried out to evaluate the origin, course and terminations of the cardiac veins in Akkaraman sheep and Angora goats. These vessels are the great cardiac, left marginal, middle cardiac, right cardiac and smallest cardiac veins. For this purpose, latex was injected into the jugular vein of eight adult healthy Akkaraman sheep and Angora goats. These veins were dissected. It has been shown that the middle cardiac vein and great cardiac veins coursed with the branches of the coronary arteries and that they were anastomosed with each other. The venous blood from the great cardiac vein and middle cardiac veins emptied into the right atria via the coronary sinus. The venous blood from the interventricular septum was conveyed to the middle cardiac vein and great cardiac veins.

Comparative macroanatomic investigations on the formation of the external iliac vein in akkaraman sheep and Angora goat.

To evaluate the formation of the external iliac vein in Akkaraman sheep and Angora goats, 8 adult healthy Akkaraman sheep and 8 Angora goats of both sexes, 3 to 4 years of age, were examined. The external iliac vein was formed by the deep femoral and femoral veins in 6 Akkaraman sheep and 7 Angora goats and by the medial circumflex femoral and femoral veins in 2 Akkaraman sheep and I Angora goat. Results from this study are thought to throw light on the future studies on the venous system, and to contribute considerably to the present anatomical knowledge concerning the external iliac vein of sheep and goats.

Macroanatomic investigations of the blood supply of thoracic limb of Kangal dogs.

In this study, the arterial supply of the thoracic limb was investigated in Kangal dogs. Twelve adult healthy Kangal dogs of either sex were used. Latex was injected into the common carotid artery, and then the axillary artery was dissected. The axillary artery is a continuation of the subclavian artery and supplies the thoracic limb in Kangal dogs. The axillary artery gave off a deltoid branch and external thoracic, lateral thoracic, and subscapular thoracic arteries in its course along the thoracic wall. The axillary artery continues distally as the brachial artery in the arm. The brachial artery gives rise to the cranial humeral circumflex, deep brachial, bicipital, ulnar collateral, superficial brachial, transverse cubital, and common interosseus arteries. It continues as the median artery after giving off the common interosseus artery. It was observed that the deep antebrachial artery arose from the median artery at the proximal third of the forearm. In the distal third of the forearm, the median artery divided into the palmar carpal and dorsal carpal branches. The deep palmar branch of the radial artery and deep branch of the palmar branch of the caudal interosseus artery form the deep palmar arch. The median artery joined the superficial branch of the palmar branch of the caudal interosseus artery to constitute the superficial palmar arch. The radial artery and cranial interosseus artery contributed to the dorsal carpal rete. The ulnar artery contributed to the formation of the deep and superficial palmar arches.