Anatomy description of cervical region and hyoid apparatus in living giant anteaters Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758 / Descrição anatômica da região cervical e aparato hioide em espécimes vivos de tamanduá-bandeira, Mymercophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758

The giant anteater has specific anatomical adaptations resulting from its ant and termite feeding habits. The unique arrangement of its hyoid apparatus is essential for the ingestion of food. However, its description in the literature is based on fragments and fossils, making it difficult to determine existing anatomical details in live animals. Imaging techniques, which enable the topographical anatomy of animals to be examined noninvasively, provide essential information for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The aim of this study is to describe the bone contours in the hyoid apparatus of the giant anteater by means of radiographic and tomographic images. Giant anteaters of varying ages from the Wild Animal Screening Center (CETAS-GO) were used, seven for X-ray exams and two adults for CT exams. The hyoid elements in all the animals were evaluated using the two imaging techniques, and were visualized in the cervical region of C2 to C6, which comprises three paired bones (stylohyoid, epihyoid, ceratohyoid) and one unpaired bone (basihyoid). The presence of air in the oropharynx enabled the assessment of soft tissue structures in this region, such as the epiglottis and the soft palate. CT axial sections are of limited usefulness for evaluating the hyoid bones, but enable assessments of the basihyoid bone and its characteristic V-shape. Thus, to analyze the hyoid region in anteaters based on radiographic and tomographic images, one must keep in mind that the stylohyoid, epihyoid and ceratohyoid bones are situated ventrally to the C2 to C5 vertebrae and that the basihyoid at the level of C5-C6 demarcates the transition between the nasopharynx and the trachea. The nasopharynx and oropharynx extend from C1 to C5, and the trachea begins at the level of C6.(AU)

O Tamanduá-Bandeira possui adaptações anatômicas específicas, devido aos hábitos alimentares de ingestão de formigas e cupins. O arranjo singular do aparato hioide dos tamanduás é fundamental para a ingestão de alimentos. Sua descrição na literatura é baseada em peças e fósseis, o que dificulta a determinação de detalhes anatômicos existentes em animais vivos. As técnicas de imagem permitem a avaliação da anatomia topográfica dos animais, de maneira não invasiva, e o conhecimento desta é fundamental para o diagnóstico e prognóstico de afecções. O objetivo desse trabalho foi descrever o contorno ósseo do aparato hioide do tamanduá-bandeira, por meio de imagens radiográficas e tomográficas. Foram utilizados tamanduás-bandeiras provenientes do Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (CETAS-GO), sendo sete, de variadas idades, para os exames radiográficos e dois adultos para os tomográficos. Os elementos hioideos foram avaliados em todos os animais por meio de ambas as técnicas de imagem, sendo visibilizados na região cervical, de C2 até C6, composto por três elementos pares (estiloioide, epioide, ceratioide) e um elemento ímpar (basitireoide). A presença de ar na orofaringe permitiu a avaliação das estruturas de tecidos moles desta região, como a epiglote e o palato mole. Os cortes tomográficos axiais têm importância limitada na avaliação dos hioides, mas permitem a avaliação do basitireoide e de seu formato característico (V-bone). Desta forma, para avaliar a região hioidea por meio dos exames radiográficos e tomográficos em tamanduás-bandeira, deve-se considerar que os ossos estiloioide, epioide e ceratioide localizam-se ventral às vértebras C2 até C5 e o basitireoide, em C5-C6, delimita a transição entre a nasofaringe e a traqueia. A orofaringe e a nasofaringe estendem-se de C1 a C5, e a traqueia inicia-se a partir de C6.(AU)

Normal sonographic anatomy of the abdomen of coatis (Nasua nasua Linnaeus 1766).

BACKGROUND: The use of ultrasound in veterinary medicine is widespread as a diagnostic supplement in the clinical routine of small animals, but there are few reports in wild animals. The objective of this study was to describe the anatomy, topography and abdominal sonographic features of coatis. RESULTS: The urinary bladder wall measured 0.11 ± 0.03 cm. The symmetrical kidneys were in the left and right cranial quadrant of the abdomen and the cortical, medullary and renal pelvis regions were recognized and in all sections. The medullary rim sign was visualized in the left kidney of two coatis. The liver had homogeneous texture and was in the cranial abdomen under the rib cage. The gallbladder, rounded and filled with anechoic content was visualized in all coatis, to the right of the midline. The spleen was identified in the left cranial abdomen following the greater curvature of the stomach. The parenchyma was homogeneous and hyperechogenic compared to the liver and kidney cortex. The stomach was in the cranial abdomen, limited cranially by the liver and caudo-laterally by the spleen. The left adrenal glands of five coatis were seen in the cranial pole of the left kidney showing hypoechogenic parenchyma without distinction of cortex and medulla. The pancreas was visualized in only two coatis. The left ovary (0.92 cm x 0.56 cm) was visualized on a single coati in the caudal pole of the kidney. The uterus, right adrenal, right ovary and intestines were not visualized. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound examination of the abdomen of coatis may be accomplished by following the recommendations for dogs and cats. It is possible to evaluate the anatomical and topographical relationships of the abdominal organs together with the knowledge of the peculiarities of parenchymal echogenicity and echotexture of the viscera.