Morphology of the atrioventricular valves and related intraventricular structures in the wild pig (Sus scrofa).

Morphology of the atrioventricular valves and the intraventricular related structures of 7 hearts of the wild pigs (Sus scrota) were observed by applying macroscopic and microscopic techniques and the findings were compared broadly to the literature. In all hearts examined, the tricuspid and mitral valves were normal and composed of 3 and 2 cusps, respectively. The papillary muscles observed in mammalian heart in general were found in both the ventricles; additionally, there were small unnamed papillary muscles in the left ventricle of the three samples. The sept marginal trabecula and false chords were present in the right ventricles, microscopically possessing myocardial fibres, connective tissue and Purkinje cells; while the false chords were located in all the left ventricles, but the sept marginal trabecula was found in the 3 samples only. Both the connective tissue and Purkinje cells were present in these two structures, but the myocardial fibres were not. Presence of the myocardial fibres in the right ventricle may have an effect on the ventricle geometry.

Origin, course and distribution of the hypoglossal nerve in the New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L).

UNLABELLED: With 8 figures SUMMARY: This study aimed at revealing the origin, course and distribution of the hypoglossal nerve in 20 adult male New Zealand rabbits. In all the animals dissected, the hypoglossal nerve arose from the ventrolateral side of the medulla oblongata with two main roots and gave off a descending branch to the ansa cervicalis before reaching the division of the common carotid artery. This branch was not seen on the right side of only one case. At the lateral aspect of the hyoglossus muscle, the nerve then divided into the lateral and medial main branches, sent branches to the styloglossus, hyoglossus, genioglossus and geniohyoideus muscles and terminated in the intrinsic tongue muscles. A communicating branch was observed between the hypoglossal and accessory nerves in the right side of one animal and between the hypoglossal nerve and the ganglion nodosum in the right retropharyngeal area of another animal. An additional branch was observed innervating the stylohyoideus muscle in one animal only. A lateral lingual-hypoglossal communication was also seen between the lateral branch of the hypoglossal nerve and terminal branches of the lingual nerve.

The macroanatomy of coronary arteries in donkeys (Equus asinus L.).

The aim of this study was to define the arteries that supply the cardiac muscle in donkeys with regard to their course and possible variations. Six hearts belonging to donkeys of different age and sex constituted the material of the study. Following exposition of the arteries by means of injection of latex coloured with Rotring ink to a. coronaria sinistra and a. coronaria dextra, dissection was performed. The arterial vascularization of the heart in donkeys was determined to be supplied by a. coronaria sinistra and a. coronaria dextra which originate from the aorta. A. coronaria sinistra, measured to be larger than a. coronaria dextra, was determined to have its origin at the aorta, at the level of the free border of valvula semilunaris sinistra, and to extend between truncus pulmonalis and auricula sinistra. The mentioned artery was detected to give off two branches, namely, ramus interventricularis paraconalis and ramus circumflexus sinister which extend in sulcus interventricularis paraconalis and sulcus coronarius, respectively. However, a. coronaria dextra was determined to have its origin at the beginning of the aorta, at the level of valvula semilunaris dextra, and to extend to margo ventricularis dexter between truncus pulmonalis and auricula dexter. This study has revealed ramus interventricularis subsinuosus and ramus circumflexus dexter to intercommunicate by means of anastomosis and to form a. coronaria dexter. Examination of material revealed the absence of anastomosis between r. circumflexus sinister and r. circumflexus dexter. Branches named rami septales, originating from ramus interventricularis paraconalis and ramus interventricularis subsinuosus were determined to supply septum interventriculare. Ramus proximalis atrii sinistri was determined to have its origin at ramus circumflexus sinister whereas ramus proximalis venriculi dextri was determined to stem from the beginning of a. coronaria dextra in the material of this study. However, examination of the cranial and caudal branches of ramus coni arteriosi, revealed the cranial branch to be ramus proximalis ventriculi dextri in a cadaver.