Systematization, Description and Territory of The Middle and Rostral Cerebral Arteries in Broad-Snouted Caimans (Caiman latirostris)

RESUMO

Background:   Information on the arterial vascularization of the broad-snouted caimans brain (Caiman latirostris), a specie from the Brazilian fauna, is inexistent and the literature consulted yielded only one description about the development of embryonic circulation and post-birth cerebrovascular alterations in the brain of three caymans. The objective of this study was to describe and systematize the cerebral arterial vascularization of this reptile, by providing a standard irrigation model with its major variations, in addition to determining its territorial vascular areas. Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty heads of male broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris), with the neck segment, were used in the study. Additionally, two whole female and male specimens, with approximately 3 years of age and weighing between 8 to 10 Kg were also used. The animals were sacrificed according to routine slaughterhouse norms. The heads were sectioned at the third cervical vertebra level and the azygos carotid artery was cannulated. The arterial system was washed with 0.9% saline solution and filled with red-colored latex. The pieces were fixed in formaldehyde and the encephalon removed through a window made in the cranial vault, which was followed by removal of the dura mater and dissection of the arteries. The internal carotid arteries displayed an intercarotic anastomosis in t