Collateral branches of the aortic arch and its main rami in crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous)

Abstract:

Crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) belongs to the Canidae family distributed in South America. Due to literary scarcity regarding the morphology of this species, we objectifiked to collaborate with description of the anatomy of the aortic arch and its collateral branches. We studied four foxes, 2 males and 2 females, from Mina Bauxita, Paragominas, Pará, Brazil/Terra Ltda, under authorization of SEMA-PA nº 455/2009, that died of natural causes. The arterial system was filled with red latex and fixation with 10% formaldehyde solution. The aortic arch of Cerdocyon thous showed that in its origin are two vessels, brachiocephalic trunk and left subclavian artery. From brachiocephalic trunk originates the bicarotid trunk, bifurcated into left and right carotid common arteries, and right subclavian artery. The subclavian arteries originates the costocervical trunk, vertebral artery, internal thoracic artery, superficial cervical artery, to reach the axillary space, and passes to be called axillary artery on both sides. We conclude that the aortic arch of Cerdocyon thous is similar to the one in other domestic animals regarding the number of ramificastions at its origin.

Index Terms:
Crab-eating fox; Cerdocyon thous; aortic arch; morphology