Vascular anatomy of the Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines-Pelomedusidae). Aorta artery behaviour

Abstract

This research studied the behaviour of the artery aorta, focing in the origin, trajectory, and destiny of the ramifications. Was used five turtles Podocnemis unifilis, females, adults, donated by CENAQUA (National Center of Amazon Quelonians) situated in the city of Goiania-GO-Brazil. The common carotid arteries were being canulate and a physiological solution was introduced to remove obstruction of the vascular system, than was injected solution of Neoprene Latex “450” colored. The material prepared was fixed in solution of Formaldehyde 10% for a period of 96 hours. After this, was loosed the skull from their insertions, showing the viscera, and individualizing the aorta artery. The right and left aortic arch unite in a single point after their origin in the heart. The left aortic arch emits the gastric artery that arise cranially to the point of union of the aortic arcs. It still emits a celiac artery that gives the cranial and caudal pancreaticduodenal arteries and the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries. After the union of the two aortic arch was formed the aorta artery and from it originated the renal arteries, epigastrics, common iliacs and the caudal artery. The aortic right arch does not emit any branch before its union with the left aortic arch, so the main visceral branches come from the left aortic arch or directly from the aorta artery.