Macroscopic anatomy of the lower respiratory tract of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica)

The present study describes the macroscopic anatomy of the lower respiratory tract of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). The trachea consists aproximately 25 c-shaped tracheal cartilages and extends from the larynx to its bifurcation into right and left principal bronchi. The right lung is divided into cranial, middle, caudal and accessory lobes by interlobar fissures. The left lung consists of cranial and caudal lobes which are not divided by an interlobar fissure. Lung lobation was verified from tracheobronchial casts.

Anatomy of structures associated with the lower respiratory tract of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica)

The present study documents the macroscopic anatomy of structures associated with the lower respiratory tract of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Vascularization of lung parenchyma is via the bronchoesophageal artery which originates from the right fourth dorsal intercostal artery. The right and left pulmonary arteries divide into pulmonary lobar arteries which are located dorsal to the lobar bronchi and deliver blood to the lungs. Pulmonary lobar veins are located ventral to the lobar bronchi and return blood from the lungs to the heart. Cranial deep cervical, cranial mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes are located along the trachea and at he tracheal bifurcation. Sympathetic fibers leave the sympathetic trunks as thoracic splanchnic nerves to reach the lungs. Parasympathetic innervation to the lungs originates from branches of the vagus nerves.

Macroscopic anatomy of the lower respiratory tract of the north american opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

This study documents the macroscopic anatomy of the lower respiratory tract of the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana). The trachea consists of approximately 28 c-shaped cartilages and extends from the larynx to its bifurcation into right and left principal bronchi. The right lung consists of cranial, middle, caudal and accessory lobes which are separated from one another by interlobar fissures. The left lung consists of cranial and caudal lobes which are not separated by interlobar fissures. Lobation of the right and left lungs was verified from tracheobronchial casts.

Anatomy of structures associated with the lower respiratory tract of the north american opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

This study documents the macroscopic anatomy of the associated structures of the lower respiratory tract of the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Cranial deep cervical, cranial mediastinal and tracheobronchial lymph nodes drain the lower respiratory tract. Vascularization of the lungs is via the bronchial artery a branch of the bronchoesophageal artery. The bronchial artery divides into right and left bronchial arteries which follow the branches of the bronchial tree. The pulmonary arteries divide into pulmonary lobar arteries which follow the bronchial division. Pulmonary lobar veins from each lobe of the right and left lungs join to form three pulmonary veins (right, left and middle). The three pulmonary veins join to form a commom pulmonary venous trunk that opens into the left atrium of the heart. Sympathetic innervation to the lungs comes from the ipsilateral sympathetic trunks through the mediastinal pleura and pulmonary ligaments as thoracic splanchnic nerves. Parasympathetic innervation to the lungs is via branches from the ipsilateral vagus nerves. The right and left phrenic nerves are formed by components of ventral branches of cervical nerves 2 - 6 which pass through the cervical (C2-C4) and brachial (C5-C6) plexuses.