Macro-anatomical investigations on the course and branches of the celiac artery in the sparrow hawk (Accipiter nisus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the course and distribution of the celiac artery in the sparrow hawk. The present work was carried out with 7 sparrow hawks of different ages and sexes. Non-curable birds were injected with 5–10 mg/kg doses of xylazine for premedication and 20–40 mg/ kg doses of ketamine for anaesthesia intramuscularly. Under deep anaesthesia, their blood was drained by cutting off the apex of the heart and the vessels were cleaned out by administering 0.9% of normal saline water into the vessels. Latex coloured with dye was injected into the ventriculus sinister of the heart through the aorta at 7 materials. Then the specimens were subjected to fine dissection to demonstrate the origin, course and distribution of the celiac artery. The celiac artery originated from the aorta at the beginning of the synsacrum and provided the arterial nutrition of the last part of the oesophagus, cecum, small intestines, pancreas, lien, liver, ventriculus and proventriculus. Along its course, it was found to terminate splitting into the right branch of the celiac artery and the left branch of the celiac artery after giving off the common root of the oesophageal artery with the superior proventricular artery and splenic artery. The left branch of the celiac artery was determined to extend cranioventrally in the proximity of isthmus gaster. After it gave off the right hepatic artery to nourish the lobus hepatis dexter of the hepar, it was passed to the left side of the hepar. In this part, this blood vessel was found to terminate splitting into the inferior proventricular artery, left inferior gastric artery and left gastric artery after giving off the left hepatic artery to the lobus hepatis sinister of the liver with three to four branches. The right branch of the celiac artery was determined to run along under the lien in a caudoventral direction. It was observed to lie on the junction of the gaster with duodenum. It was found to give off the right superior gastric artery before reaching the indicated junction. At the level of the indicated junction, the right branch of the celiac artery was determined to split into its terminal branches which extended in different directions, namely ileocecal artery, gastroduodenal artery, pancreaticoduodenal artery, duodenojejunal artery and right inferior gastric artery © 2021, Veterinarija ir Zootechnika. All Rights Reserved.