Computed Tomographic Anatomy and Topography of the Lower Respiratory System of the Mature Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Basic Sciences, D.V.M Graduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

2 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

4 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.32592/ARI.2024.79.5.981

Abstract

Among various mammals, the laboratory rat is widely used for experimental purposes and belongs to the order Rodents, the family Muridae, and the genus Rattus. The absence of a thorough study of the topography and CT anatomy of the thoracic structures necessitates such a study. This study aims to accurately describe the topography of the lungs, trachea, and heart in rats based on CT scan findings compared with the anatomical findings in this animal. CT scan images were prepared from 10 adult male rats at a distance of 1 mm using a Siemens Somatom Spirit CT Scanner, followed by anatomical studies. Morphometric factors were measured on CT scan images, and then samples were studied anatomically by autopsy. The thorax, lungs, heart, and intrathoracic trachea, as well as the locations of organs, were carefully examined in anatomical studies, and detailed descriptions were obtained from CT scan images and autopsy observations. The tracheal bifurcation was fixed in the fourth and fifth ribs of all samples. The right lung was larger and more voluminous than the left one. The heart was tilted to the left, and the right bronchus was shorter than the left one. According to the obtained results, the right lung was more voluminous than the left one in R. norvegicus, which was confirmed by accurate measurements. It was also longer than the left lung but with the same width and height. It should be noted that the use of CT scans allows the anatomical examination of body structures when being alive and active, and this can be very effective practically. In general, the lungs continue from the second rib to the last rib, but the right lung occupies a little more space from the front and the dorsal. Regarding the lobulation of the lungs, the left lung has one lobe and the right lung has four lobes. It should be noted that the use of CT scans allows the anatomical examination of body structures when being alive and active, and this can be very effective practically.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Vandenbergh JG. 2000. Use of House Mice in Biomedical Research. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) J. 41(3): 133–135.
  2. Popesko P, Rajtova V, Horak J. Color Atlas of the Anatomy of Small Laboratory Animals, Vol. 2. Saunders. 1990.
  3. O'Malley B. Clinical anatomy and physiology of exotic species: Structure and function of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Elsevier Saunders. 2005.
  4. Berry CR, Graham PR, Thrall DE. Interpretation paradigms for the small animal thorax. In: Textbook of Veterinary diagnostic imaging. Saunders-Elsevier. 2007; pp:462–485.
  5. Shojaei B, Vosough D, Sharifi F.. Computed Tomographic Anatomy of the Thoracic Cavity Vessels in the Rayini Goat. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery. 2012;7(1, 2) 9-22.
  6. Zehtabvar O, Vajhi AR, Tootian Z, Rostami A, Shojaei B.. Computed tomographic anatomy and topography of the non-respiratory organs of coelomic cavity of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Journal of Veterinary Research. 2015;70(4):411-418.
  7. Zehtabvar O, Tootian Z, Vajhi AR, Shojaei B, Rostami A, Davudypoor S, Sadeghinezhad J, Ghaffari H, Memarian I.. Computed Tomographic Anatomy and Topography of the Lower Respiratory System of the European Pond Turtle (Emys Orbicularis). Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery. 2014;9(2):9-16.
  8. Smallwood J, George TF. Anatomic atlas for computed tomography in the mesaticephalic dog: caudal abdomen and pelvis. Veterinary Radiology Ultrasound. 1993;34:143-167.
  9. Anderson RH. Clinical anatomy of the aortic root. Heart. 2000;84(6):670–673.
  10. Anderson RH, Webb S, Brown NA. Clinical anatomy of the atrial septum with reference to its developmental components. Clinical Anatomy. 1999;12(5):362–374.
  11. Henninger W. Use of computed tomography in the diseased feline thorax. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2003;44(2):56–64.
  12. Cotofan V, Hritcu V, Palicica R, Damian A, Ganta C, Predoi G, Spataru C, Enciu V. Anatomia animalelor domestice: vol. II: Organologie Timisoara. 2007.
  13. De Rycke LM, Gielen IM, Simoens PJ, Van bree H. Computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy of the thorax in clinically normal dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 2005;66(3):512–524.
  14. Tyson R, Logsdon SA, Werre SR, Daniel GB. Estimation of feline renal volume using computed tomography and ultrasound. Veterinary Radiology Ultrasound. 2013;54(2):127–132.
  15. Sajjadian SM, Shojaei B, Sohrab Zade B. Computed Tomographic Anatomy of the Abdominal Cavity in the Jebeer (Gazella Bennettii). Anatomical Sciences Journal. 2015;12(1):37-44.
  16. Carpenter JW, Marion C. Exotic Animal Formulary. Elsevier Science. 2017.
  17. Man's C, Drees R, Sladky KK, Hatt JM, Kircher PR.. Effects of body position and extension of the neck and extremities on lung volume measured via computed tomography in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Journal of American Veterinary Medecine Association. 2013;243(8):1190–1196.
  18. Barone R, Pavaux C, Blin PC. Atlas d’Anatomie du Lapin. Paris: Boulevard Saint-Germain, edition. 5th edition. 1973.
  19. Schiffmann H, Flesch M, Häuseler C, Pfahlberg A, Böhm M, Hellige G. Effects of different inotropic interventions on myocardial function in the developing rabbit heart. Basic Research Cardiology. 2002;97(1): 76–87.
  20. Evans HE. The heart and arteries. In: Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. Saunders, Philadelphia, USA. 1993;pp: 586–602.
  21. Cope LA, Robert W, Henry RBJ. Macroscopic anatomy of the lower respiratory tract of the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Brazilian Journal of Morphology Sciences. 2001;18: 47–53.
  22. Teke BE. Macro-anatomic researches about the lung lobe formations and Broncho-Pulmoner segmentation in Ankara rabbit. Veterinary Sciences Journal. 2001;17:93–97.
  23. İlgun, R, Yoldas A, Kuru N, Özkan ZE. Macroscopic anatomy of the lower respiratory system in mole rats (Spalax leucodon). Anatomia Histologia Embryologia. 2014;43(6):474–481.
  24. Ibe CS, Salami SO, Onyeanusi BI. Macroscopic anatomy of the lower respiratory system in a nocturnal burrowing rodent: African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse 1840). Anatomia Histologia Embryologia. 2011;40(2):112–119.
  25. Laakkonen J, Jernvall J. Macroscopic Anatomy of the Saimaa Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida saimensis) Lower Respiratory Tract. Anatomical Record. 2016;299(4):538–543.
Archives of Razi Institute
Volume 79, Issue 5
September and October 2024
Pages 981-988

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics