Origin and main branches of the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries in the New Zealand rabbit

 

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Abstract

Introduction: Precise knowledge of variations in arterial vascularization of the abdominal viscera is important for systematization of radiological and surgical anatomy in animals that serve as experimental models and in domestic animals. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the origin and main branches of the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries in rabbits. Materials and Methods: The anatomical dissections were performed in 30 cadavers of adult rabbits, 15 males and 15 females. Results: The cranial mesenteric artery arose as a single artery in all females and males. The average length of the cranial mesenteric artery in females was 2.63 cm and originated at the level oflst lumbar vertebra in two (13.33%) animals, between the 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebra in four (26.67%), on the 2nd lumbar vertebra in seven (46.67%), between 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebra in one (6.67%) and at the level of 3rd lumbar vertebra in one (6.67%). The average length of the cranial mesenteric artery in males was 2.56 cm and originated at the level of1st lumbar vertebra in two (13.33%) animals, between the 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebra in two (13.33%), at the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra in eight (53.33%), between the 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebra in three (20%). The main ramifications of the cranial mesenteric artery were the caudal pancreatic duodenal, middle colic, jejunal and ileocecocolic arteries. The caudal mesenteric artery arose as a single artery in all females and males. The average length of the caudal mesenteric artery in females was 0.846 cm and originated at the level of 5th lumbar vertebra in three (20%) animals, between the 5th and 6th lumbar vertebra in two (13.33%), at the level of the 6th lumbar vertebra in seven (46.67%), %), between the 6th and 7th lumbar vertebra in two (13.33%) and at the level of the 7th lumbar vertebra in one (6.67%). The average length of the caudal mesenteric artery in males was 0.79 cm and originated at the level of the 5th lumbar vertebra in two (13.33%) animals, between the 5th and 6th lumbar vertebra in one (6.67%), at the level of the 6th lumbar vertebra in seven (46.67%), between the 6th and 7th lumbar vertebra in four (26.67%) and at the level of the 7th lumbar vertebra in one (6.67%). The caudal mesenteric artery arises from the aorta, originating the cranial rectal and left colic arteries. Conclusion: No relation was observed between the mesenteric length and the rostrum-sacral length in rabbits. The origin of the cranial and caudal mesenteric artery is not gender dependent.