Venous networks in the upper airways of bats: A histological and diceCT study.
Anat Rec (Hoboken)
; 305(8): 1871-1891, 2022 08.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34545690
ABSTRACT
Our knowledge of nasal cavity anatomy has grown considerably with the advent of micro-computed tomography (CT). More recently, a technique called diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced CT (diceCT) has rendered it possible to study nasal soft tissues. Using diceCT and histology, we aim to (a) explore the utility of these techniques for inferring the presence of venous sinuses that typify respiratory mucosa and (b) inquire whether distribution of vascular mucosa may relate to specialization for derived functions of the nasal cavity (i.e., nasal-emission of echolocation sounds) in bats. Matching histology and diceCT data indicate that diceCT can detect venous sinuses as either darkened, "empty" spaces, or radio-opaque islands when blood cells are present. Thus, we show that diceCT provides reliable information on vascular distribution in the mucosa of the nasal airways. Among the bats studied, a nonecholocating pteropodid (Cynopterus sphinx) and an oral-emitter of echolocation sounds (Eptesicus fuscus) possess venous sinus networks that drain into the sphenopalatine vein rostral to the nasopharynx. In contrast, nasopharyngeal passageways of nasal-emitting hipposiderids are notably packed with venous sinuses. The mucosae of the nasopharyngeal passageways are far less vascular in nasal-emitting phyllostomids, in which vascular mucosae are more widely distributed in the nasal cavity, and in some nectar-feeding species, a particularly large venous sinus is adjacent to the vomeronasal organ. Therefore, we do not find a common pattern of venous sinus distribution associated with nasal emission of sounds in phyllostomids and hipposiderids. Instead, vascular mucosa is more likely critical for air-conditioning and sometimes vomeronasal function in all bats.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Venas
/
Quirópteros
/
Microtomografía por Rayos X
/
Cavidad Nasal
/
Mucosa Nasal
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Anat Rec (Hoboken)
Asunto de la revista:
ANATOMIA
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos
Pais de publicación:
EEUU
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
/
EUA
/
UNITED STATES
/
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
/
US
/
USA