Abstract:
Being the largest still-living terrestrial mammal on earth, an elephant\'s feet play an important role in its health status. The musculoskeletal structures in the forefoot are well described in the literature, but information about vascularization is limited. The novel aim of this work is to provide anatomical guidance to structures found in the forefoot, focusing on the arterial system. Initially, native CT and MRI sequences were taken of the left forefoot of a deceased 6-year-old female Asian elephant; the foot was then filled with an iodine-containing contrast medium through the a. mediana and the CT scans were repeated in the same position. The images obtained were processed with 3D Slicer software for the 3D reconstruction of the bones and arteries. The results clearly showed the palmar blood supply of the forefoot. A so far undescribed vessel was revealed, stemming from the a. metacarpea, supplying the first digit and the digital cushion. The course of the deep palmar arch\'s terminal section was also established. This paper provides the first description of the exact disposition of the arteries in the palmar aspect of an elephant\'s forefoot and may be used in planning surgeries in clinically affected animals.
摘要:
作为地球上最大的静止的陆地哺乳动物,大象的脚在其健康状况中起着重要作用。前足的肌肉骨骼结构在文献中有很好的描述,但是关于血管化的信息是有限的。这项工作的新颖目的是为前脚中发现的结构提供解剖学指导,专注于动脉系统。最初,对已故的6岁雌性亚洲象的左前脚进行了自然CT和MRI序列;然后通过a.mediana向脚填充含碘造影剂,并在相同位置重复CT扫描。使用3D切片器软件处理获得的图像以用于骨骼和动脉的3D重建。结果清楚地显示了前足的手掌血液供应。一艘迄今未被描述的船只被发现,源于a.掌骨,提供第一个数字和数字垫。还建立了深掌拱的末端部分的路线。本文首次描述了大象前足掌侧动脉的确切位置,可用于临床受影响动物的手术计划。