Magnetic resonance imaging and cross-sectional anatomy of the brain of the red fox [Vulpes vulpes]

ABSTRACT

This article presents the detailed anatomy of the red fox brain and associated structures using magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. The heads of five clinically normal adult foxes were used for this study. Contiguous T2-weighted transverse magnetic resonance images were acquired from just caudal to the level of cribriform plate to the caudal aspect of cerebellum, using 1.5-T Philips NT scanner. MR images were compared with corresponding frozen and formalinized cross sections of the heads of foxes at different levels. Most features of the brain that were identified on anatomic sections could be identified on the corresponding MR scans despite the low contrast between structures, particularly if adjacent bony and soft tissue structures were used as landmarks. Different anatomic and neuroanatomic structures were identified and labeled on the images as reference for MR morphology of the fox brain and related structures