Next Article in Journal
Approaches to Laparoscopic Training in Veterinary Medicine: A Review of Personalized Simulators
Previous Article in Journal
Evaluation of Two Recombinant Protein-Based Vaccine Regimens against Campylobacter jejuni: Impact on Protection, Humoral Immune Responses and Gut Microbiota in Broilers
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Animals
Volume 13
Issue 24
10.3390/ani13243780
animals-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Communication

The Arteries of the Encephalon Base in Caracal (Caracal caracal; Felidae; Carnivora)

by
Maciej Zdun
1,2,*,
Aleksander F. Butkiewicz
1 and
Marcin Zawadzki
1
1
Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland
2
Department of Animal Anatomy, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Animals 2023, 13(24), 3780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243780
Submission received: 14 November 2023 / Revised: 1 December 2023 / Accepted: 4 December 2023 / Published: 7 December 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Animal Neuroscience)
Browse Figures
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

:

Simple Summary

The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and arid areas of Pakistan and northwestern India. This study discusses the vascularization of the encephalon base in this species based on our research and its comparison with relevant scientific articles.

Abstract

This study represents the comprehensive anatomical analysis of the arterial circulation at the base of the encephalon in caracal (Caracal caracal), a member of the Felidae family. Caracals are found in various environments in Africa and Asia, and their conservation status is threatened by hunting and habitat loss. This study was conducted on 14 post-mortem specimens obtained from zoos. Three different methods were used to prepare the specimens—corrosive preparation, latex specimen preparation, and computer tomography imaging. This study revealed a configuration of the arterial circulation in the caracal encephalon resembling the shape of the number eight. The presence of the rostral communicating artery in this species is of particular significance, as it is associated with an increased ability to detect dehydration in the forebrain. This adaptation plays a crucial role in responding to challenges related to hydration. Comparative anatomical analysis with other felids highlighted differences in the shape and configuration of the encephalon’s arterial circulation. This study also discussed the obliteration of the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery in adult caracals, a feature shared with other Felidae members. The results of this study provide valuable information regarding the anatomy of blood vessels in caracals, with potential implications for veterinary practice in zoos and wildlife conservation efforts. This research expands our knowledge of this species’ unique adaptations and physiological processes, contributing to the development of comparative anatomy in the Felidae family.

1. Introduction

The caracal belongs to the Felidae family of the order Carnivora [1,2]. It is found in forests, savannas, shrublands, grasslands, and deserts in Africa and Asia in the wild. Due to threats from hunting and the reduction of their natural habitat through land use for crops and livestock, this species has been placed on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The population trend is unknown, although it is very variable depending on the geographical area [3]. It is critically endangered in Pakistan [4] and close to extinction in many parts of northern Africa [5], while in southern and central Africa, the population appears stable [6]. Outside their natural habitat, caracals are maintained in captivity in zoos. Caracals reach a body mass of 5.8 to 22 kg. They are characterized by a relatively short tail for cats and long tufts of hair extending from their ears, reaching up to 8 cm in length [7]. Their fur is a uniform golden or reddish-brown shade, with a cream underbelly [8]. The average lifespan of a caracal is ten years, although individuals kept in captivity can live up to 19 years [7,9]. When hunting, caracals use vegetation as cover from detection. They prefer a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle, although there is a dependence on the ambient temperature [10].
The diet of caracals is mainly based on rodents and birds [11]. Additionally, they prey on small predators such as domestic cats [12,13]. Local ranchers often consider caracals pests because of their impact on livestock, especially poultry [14]. In South Africa, they are a target for hunting due to their attractiveness as trophies. There are reports of caracals being hunted for their meat. Notably, they are increasingly being treated as pets and kept for recreational purposes [15]. According to a study by Avenant and Nel [11], one caracal territory contains one male, four females, and between two and nine young.
Due to the uniqueness of the material, it was decided to perform a study of the encephalon base vessels, including the tributaries in this vascular area. A precise description of this area is of general biological and clinical significance. The information in this study may be helpful to veterinarians working in zoos or involved in rescuing wild animals in their natural environments. Knowledge of the anatomy of the encephalon vasculature is important for the correct interpretation of images obtained during diagnostic studies such as CT angiography. It may also be useful during surgical operations or minor procedures performed on the head [16,17]. The aim of this study was to analyze the arteries of the encephalon base in caracals.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Animals

This study was conducted on 14 preparations of animal heads and the encephalon arteries of both sexes of adult caracals (Caracal caracal) of the Felidae family. All animals utilized in this study were obtained from zoos as post-mortem specimens. No animals were intentionally euthanized or sacrificed for the purpose of this research. Approval from research ethics committees was not necessary to fulfill the objectives of this study, as the experimental procedures were solely performed on cadavers. We have provided more detailed information in this regard in the Institutional Review Board Statement.

2.2. Methods

In one of the methods implemented in three instances, the bilateral common carotid arteries were infused with red liquid latex (LBS 3060). Following the injection, the preparations underwent curing in a 5% formaldehyde solution for a duration of 14 days. Subsequently, the specimens were rinsed with running water for 48 h to remove any residual formaldehyde. The subsequent stage involved the manual dissection of soft tissues. The excess tissue was cut, which resulted in red arteries being obtained from the surrounding soft tissues. Extra safety measures were taken to ensure protection within the room designated for preparation. A ventilation system was in place, operating at 15 air changes per hour. The procedure commenced with the careful cutting of the skull bone using an oscillating saw, allowing access to the soft tissue. Subsequently, the blood vessels were meticulously prepared using surgical instruments. The preparation process was initiated with the removal of skin from the entire neck and head. Great care was taken during the preparation of muscle tissue to prevent any harm to the surrounding arteries. The next step involved delicately cleaning the prepared arteries of excess connective tissue.
In the next method, nine specimens underwent preparation that involved injecting red self-curing DURACRYL® PLUS (SpofaDental, Jičín, Czech Republic) into the bilateral common carotid arteries. Following approximately 20 min for the specimens to cure, enzymatic maceration of the material with Persil powder (Henkel, Düsseldorf, Germany) at 42 °C continued for about one month. This process yielded corrosion casts of the blood vessels on the bone scaffold.
For the angio-CT examination, two cadavers were used. The specimens were frozen within 1 h of death. Examinations were performed immediately after thawing the specimens. Before initiating the scans, barium sulfate (barium sulfuricum 1.0 g/mL, Medana, Sieradz, Poland) was injected into the bilateral common carotid arteries. The heads were securely immobilized on a tomography table. Cone-beam computed tomography was used, with the following scanning parameters: 110 kVp, 0.08 mAs per shot, 20.48 mAs (Total mAs), and a reconstructed slice thickness of 0.29 mm.
The images were captured using a Nikon D3200 digital camera and saved in JPG format. Subsequently, the images underwent processing using “Preview Version 11.0 (1056.2.4), Copyright© 2002–2023 Apple Inc.” (Apple, Cupertono, CA, USA) digital image editing software. The names of the anatomical structures were standardized according to the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (2017) [18].

3. Results

The shape of the arterial circle of the encephalon resembles the shape of the number eight (Figure 1). The rostral part formed of the bilateral rostral cerebral arteries (aa. Cerebri rostrales) has gentle arcs, as does the caudal part formed of the bilateral caudal communicating arteries (aa. Communicans caudales).
The rostral cerebral artery arises from the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery (a. carotis interna). Initially, it is placed on the base of the encephalon on the sides of the infundibulum of the hypophysis gland (infundibulum glandulae pituitariae), the mammillary body (corpus mamillare) and the tuber cinereum; it runs close to the optic chiasm (chiasma opticum) and goes to the longitudinal fissure of the brain (fissure longitudinalis cerebri). It also donates the internal ethmoid artery to the ethmoid plate of the ethmoid bone. There is no presence of a rostral communicating artery (a. communicans rostralis) in two cases, which causes the arterial circle of the encephalon to remain open from the nasal side. In the other cases, this vessel was observed (Figure 2). Rostrally, from the optic chiasm, the middle cerebral artery (a. cerebri media) branches off from the rostral cerebral artery. This is the strongest branch extending from the arterial circle of the encephalon. It surrounds the piriform lobe (lobus piriformis) from the rostral side and extends to the dorsolateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere (facies dorsolateralis hemisheri). Another branch of the rostral cerebral artery is the rostral choroid artery (a. choroidea rostralis). This is a thin vessel extending between the internal carotid artery and the middle cerebral artery.
The caudal part of the cerebral arterial circle is formed of the caudal communicating arteries, which, from their point of origin, follow a gentle arc, converging caudally and connecting to the odd basilar artery (Figure 3). From the caudal communicating artery, the caudal cerebral artery (a. cerebri caudalis) branches off, which is a single vessel. It usually divides into two branches, although in one case, the right side divides into two, and the left side divides into three branches. The division into branches falls close to the origin of this vessel. More caudally located are the rostral cerebellar arteries (a. cerebelli rostrales). These are strong vessels corresponding in diameter to the caudal arteries of the encephalon. The basilar artery (a. basilaris) is a vessel that maintains the same diameter along its entire course. Before an even portion of this vessel passes into the vertebral arteries (aa. Vertebrales), it gives half of its length to the caudal cerebellar arteries (aa. Cerebelli caudales). These vessels diverge asymmetrically, with the one on one side being slightly more rostral than that on the other side.
Among the tributaries contributing to the cerebral arterial circle, the rete mirabile of the maxillary artery should be considered first and foremost. Emerging from it is the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery, which is the main source of blood flowing to the encephalon. The rete mirabile of the maxillary artery is a network of fine vessels branched off from the maxillary artery (Figure 4). It is located around this artery at the bottom of the orbit and heads towards the encephalon. The maxillary artery is the continuation of the external carotid artery (a. carotis externa), which is the follow-up of the common carotid artery (a. carotis communis). At the point where the common carotid artery evolves into the external carotid artery, the sinus carotis (sinus caroticus) is observed. The extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery that branches off from the sinus carotis is not observed. In addition, the vertebral arteries (a. vertebrales), which connect to the basilar artery, are the second source of blood flow to the cerebral arterial circle (Figure 4).

4. Discussion

An analogous shape of the cerebral arterial circle, as in the described species, has been found in other representatives of the Felinae subfamily, e.g., cat (Felis catus), serval (Leptailurus serval), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), jungle cat (Felis chaus), puma (Puma concolor), and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) [19]. In contrast, in the described representatives of the Pantherinae subfamily, e.g., lion (Panthera leo), leopard (Panthera pardus), jaguar (Panthera onca), and tiger (Panthera tigris), the rostral part of the circle is more elongated and less rounded, while the caudal part is proportionally more diminutive and more elongated, with less protrusion to the sides [19]. The authors cited above compared the rostral segment of the cerebral arterial circle in Felinae to the letter C, and in Pantherinae, they compared it to the letter J. In contrast to some animal groups, the cerebral arterial circle in giraffes takes on a triangular shape [20] or a heart shape in other ruminants [21,22,23,24]. Those of camels are similar to the number “8” [25,26,27,28]. In Caniformia (the second suborder in the Carnivora beyond the Feliformia), e.g., the dog and fox, is elliptical in shape [29,30]. In most of the Felidae described, the caudal connecting arteries are connected by the ramus anastomoticus circuli arteriosi [19]. Such a connection was not found in the caracal.
In the analysis of the specimens, the notable presence of the rostral communicating artery was observed. In a study conducted by Fenrich in 2021 [31], it was established that this artery plays a pivotal role in the detection of dehydration in the forebrain. According to Fenrich’s findings, animals equipped with this specific artery have a significant edge in identifying and responding to dehydration. Dehydration, marked by the loss of water, triggers a decrease in extracellular fluid, resulting in reduced tissue perfusion and a subsequent shift towards anaerobic metabolism in the peripheral tissues. Considering the encephalon’s limited capacity for anaerobic metabolism, it assumes a privileged status during dehydration. To mitigate and postpone anaerobic metabolism within the encephalon, a sufficient blood supply is of utmost importance. Placing dehydration sensors near the neurons responsible for relevant effector homeostatic mechanisms proves exceptionally advantageous for the efficiency of this physiological process [31].
A single caudal cerebral artery has been found in jaguars, leopards, lynxes, tigers, and domestic cats. This vessel, in a double form, has been described in lions and servals [19]. In the caracal, the rostral cerebellar artery was observed in a single form, while in other felids, it was a double vessel [19]. The caudal cerebellar artery originates as a branch from the basilar artery. The initial part of this vessel departs at a 90-degree angle. Such a model of branching off suggests that blood to this vessel could flow into the caudal cerebellar artery, both from the caudal communicating artery side and from the vertebral artery side [32]. As in the caracal, a strong basilar artery that does not decrease in diameter is found in other felids, canids, and camels [19,27,33,34,35]. An additional feature that may support this claim is that the basilar artery has the same diameter over its entire length, i.e., its diameter does not decrease in the caudal direction. An experiment by Baldwin and Bell [36,37,38] on sheep and cattle showed that the basilar artery, which decreases in diameter in the caudal direction, is not involved in supplying blood to the encephalon in these species.
In the caracal, the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery is obliterated, as in other Felidae [19,33,39,40,41,42,43]. In young cats, the internal carotid artery is preserved along its entire length. That is, there is an unobstructed extracranial segment of this vessel. Observations of fetuses show it as a strong vessel supplying blood to the encephalon. In specimens of about 4–8 weeks of age, there is a gradual atrophy of the extracranial segment of this vessel, which is absent in adult animals [43]. This study was only conducted on adult specimens, so no case had an extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery. In Caniformia, the internal carotid artery is well developed and does not undergo obliteration. Studies conducted on the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), grey wolf (Canis lupus), American mink (Mustela vison), European badger (Meles meles), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), common raccoon (Procyon lotor), and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) present the occurrence and course of this vessel in adults [35,44,45,46,47,48].
Similar to the caracal, the phenomenon of the obliteration of the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery has been described in ruminants [22,23,49,50,51,52,53]. On the base of the encephalon in this group of animals, the rostral epidural rete mirabile (rete mirabile epidurale rostrale) is present. It is similar to the rete mirabile of the maxillary artery found in the caracal and other felids, but located on the bottom of the cranial cavity. In fetuses and juveniles of cattle and Eurasian elk [21,24], a fully preserved internal carotid artery has been found as one of the sources of blood to the rostral epidural rete mirabile, and consequently, to the encephalon. As these animals grew, the extracranial segment of this vessel was found to be obliterated. In adults, the source of blood to the rostral epidural rete mirabile was the branches diverging from the maxillary artery. Thus, in terms of supplying blood to the encephalon, both retia have the same function, although their locations are different.

5. Conclusions

The results of this study revealed that the caracal’s arterial circle of the encephalon resembles the shape of the number eight. The presence of the rostral communicating artery is probably associated with the caracal’s increased ability to detect dehydration in the forebrain. Comparative anatomical analysis with other members of the Felidae family highlighted differences in the shape and configuration of the encephalon’s arterial circulation. The obliteration of the extracranial segment of the internal carotid artery in adult caracals is a common feature among other members of the Felidae family.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, M.Z. (Maciej Zdun); formal analysis, M.Z. (Maciej Zdun), A.F.B. and M.Z. (Marcin Zawadzki); resources, M.Z. (Maciej Zdun), A.F.B. and M.Z. (Marcin Zawadzki); writing—original draft preparation, M.Z. (Maciej Zdun), A.F.B. and M.Z. (Marcin Zawadzki); interpretation of data for the work, M.Z. (Maciej Zdun); writing—review and editing, M.Z. (Maciej Zdun), A.F.B. and M.Z. (Marcin Zawadzki); figure preparation—A.F.B. and M.Z. (Maciej Zdun); supervision, M.Z. (Maciej Zdun). All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Approval from research ethics committees was not necessary to fulfil the objectives of this study, as the experimental procedures were solely performed on cadavers. According to the law of 15 January 2015 governing the protection of animals used for scientific or educational purposes, procedures involving cadavers do not mandate approval from the local ethics committee (Journal of Laws 2015, item 266).

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Hassanin, A.; Veron, G.; Ropiquet, A.; Jansen van Vuuren, B.; Lécu, A.; Goodman, S.M.; Haider, J.; Nguyen, T.T. Evolutionary history of Carnivora (Mammalia, Laurasiatheria) inferred from mitochondrial genomes. PLoS ONE 2021, 16, e0240770. [Google Scholar]
  2. Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World. In A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 3rd ed.; Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, MD, USA, 2005; pp. 1–728. [Google Scholar]
  3. Avgan, B.; Henschel, P.; Ghoddousi, A. Caracal Caracal. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; 2016, e. T3847A102424310. Available online: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3847/102424310 (accessed on 30 November 2023).
  4. Sheikh, K.M.; Molur, S. (Eds.) Status and Red List of Pakistan’s Mammals. In Based on the Conservation Assessment and Management Plan; IUCN Pakistan: Islamabad, Pakistan, 2004; pp. 1–311. [Google Scholar]
  5. Cuzin, F. Les Grands Mammifères du Maroc Méridional (Haut Atlas, Anti Atlas et Sahara): Distribution, Écologie et Conservation. Master’s Thesis, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France, 2003. [Google Scholar]
  6. Thorn, M.; Green, M.; Keith, M.; Marnewick, K.; Bateman, P.W.; Cameron, E.Z.; Scott, D.M. Large-scale distribution patterns of carnivores in northern South Africa: Implications for conservation and monitoring. Oryx 2011, 45, 579–586. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Veals, A.M.; Burnett, A.D.; Morandini, M.; Drouilly, M.; Koprowski, J.L. Caracal caracal (Carnivora: Felidae). Mamm. Species 2020, 52, 71–85. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Kingdon, J. (Ed.) Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids, and Rhinoceroses; A&C Black: London, UK, 2014; pp. 173–179. [Google Scholar]
  9. Livingston, S.E. The nutrition and natural history of the serval (Felis serval) and caracal (Caracal caracal). Vet. Clin. N. Am. Exot. Anim. Pract. 2009, 12, 327–334. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Avenant, N.L.; Nel, J.A.J. Among habitat variation in prey availability and use by caracal Felis caracal. Mamm. Biol. 2002, 67, 18–33. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Braczkowski, A.; Watson, L.; Coulson, D.; Lucas, J.; Peiser, B.; Rossi, M. The diet of caracal, Caracal caracal, in two areas of the southern Cape, South Africa as determined by scat analysis. Afr. J. Wildl. Res. 2012, 42, 111–116. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Bothma, J.D.P.; Walker, C. Larger Carnivores of the African Savannas; Springer Science & Business Media: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 1999; pp. 1–262. [Google Scholar]
  13. Melville, H.I.A.S.; Bothma, J.D.P.; Mills, M.G.L. Prey selection by caracal in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Afr. J. Wildl. Res. 2004, 34, 67–75. [Google Scholar]
  14. Thorn, M.; Green, M.; Dalerum, F.; Bateman, P.W.; Scott, D.M. What drives human–carnivore conflict in the north West Province of South Africa? Biol. Conserv. 2012, 150, 23–32. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Crookes, D.J. Ecology, opportunity or threat? Drivers of the caracal (Caracal caracal) population decline in South Africa. Afr. J. Ecol. 2023, 61, 768–780. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Ijiri, A.; Yoshiki, K.; Tsuboi, S.; Shimazaki, H.; Akiyoshi, H.; Nakade, T. Surgical resection of twenty-three cases of brain meningioma. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 2014, 76, 331–338. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Caine, A.; Brash, R.; De Risio, L.; Van Dijk, J.; Cherubini, G.B.; Dennis, R. MRI in 30 cats with traumatic brain injury. J. Feline Med. Surg. 2019, 21, 1111–1119. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. International Committee on Veterinary Gross Anatomical Nomenclature. Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria, 6th ed.; Editorial Committee: Hannover, Germany, 2017. [Google Scholar]
  19. Frąckowiak, H.; Godynicki, S. Brain basal arteries in various species of Felidae. Pol. J. Vet. Sci. 2003, 6, 195–200. [Google Scholar]
  20. Frąckowiak, H.; Jakubowski, H. Arterial vascularization in the giraffe brain. In Annales Zoologici Fennici; Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board: Helsinki, Finland, 2008; Volume 4, pp. 353–359. [Google Scholar]
  21. Zdun, M.; Frąckowiak, H.; Kiełtyka-Kurc, A.; Kowalczyk, K.; Nabzdyk, M.; Timm, A. The arteries of brain base in species of Bovini tribe. Anat. Rec. 2013, 296, 1677–1682. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Frąckowiak, H.; Zdun, M.; Kowalczyk, K.; Komosa, M.; Kiełtyka-Kurc, A. Comparison of cerebral base arteries in antelopes of Tragelaphus, Taurotragus and Boselaphus genera. Zoomorphology 2014, 133, 351–357. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Frąckowiak, H.; Dębiński, D.; Komosa, M.; Zdun, M. The arterial circle of the brain, its branches and connections in selected representatives of the Antilopinae. J. Morphol. 2015, 276, 766–771. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Zdun, M.; Jabłonski, R.; Dębinski, D.; Frąckowiak, H. The Eurasian elk’s (Alces alces) brain base arteries in view of vascular variation. Anat. Rec. 2019, 302, 339–345. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Al Aiyan, A.; Menon, P.; Al Darwich, A.; Almuhairi, F.; Alnuaimi, S.; Bulshawareb, A.; Qablan, M.; Shehab, S. Descriptive analysis of cerebral arterial vascular architecture in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius). Front. Neuroanat. 2019, 13, 67. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Jerbi, H.; Vazquez, N.; Perez, W. Morphological Configuration and Topography of the brain arterial supply of the One-humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius, Linnaeus 1758). Int. J. Morphol. 2019, 37, 1095–1100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Al Aiyan, A.; Menon, P.; AlDarwich, A.; Qablan, M.; Hammoud, M.; Shawaf, T.; Richardson, K. Vertebrobasilar contribution to cerebral arterial system of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Front. Vet. Sci. 2021, 8, 696707. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Kanan, C.V. The cerebral arteries of Camelus dromedarius. Acta Anat. 1970, 7, 605–616. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Evans, H.E.; de Lahunta, A. Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog, 4th ed.; Elsevier Saunders: St. Louis, MO, USA, 2012; pp. 1–872. [Google Scholar]
  30. Ozudogru, Z.; Can, M.; Balkaya, H. Macro-anatomical investigation of the cerebral arterial circle (Circle of Willis) in red fox (Vulpes vulpes). J. Anim. Vet. Adv. 2012, 11, 2861–2864. [Google Scholar]
  31. Fenrich, M.; Habjanovic, K.; Kajan, J.; Heffer, M. The circle of Willis revisited: Forebrain dehydration sensing facilitated by the anterior communicating artery: How hemodynamic properties facilitate more efficient dehydration sensing in amniotes. BioEssays 2021, 43, 2000115. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  32. Rahmat, S.; Gillan, E. Comparative anatomy of the carotid-basilar arterial trunk and hindbrain penetrating arteries in vertebrates. Open Anat. J. 2014, 6, 1–26. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Klein, T. Korrosionsanatomische Untersuchungen am Blutgefaßsystem des Encephalon und der Meninges bei Felis domestica [Corrosion-anatomical study of the blood vessels of the encephalon and meninges of Felis domestica]. Anat. Histol. Embryol. 1980, 9, 236–279. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Jerbi, H.; Khaldi, S.; Pérez, W. Morphometric Study of the rostral epidural rete mirabile in the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius, Linnaeus 1758). Int. J. Morphol. 2016, 34, 1429–1435. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Zdun, M.; Ruszkowski, J.J.; Butkiewicz, A.F.; Gogulski, M. Arterial Blood Supply to the Cerebral Arterial Circle in the Selected Species of Carnivora Order from Poland. Animals 2023, 13, 3144. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Baldwin, B.A.; Bell, F.R. The contribution of the carotid and cerebral arteries to the blood pressure in sheep. J. Physiol. 1960, 151, 9–10. [Google Scholar]
  37. Baldwin, B.A.; Bell, F.R. Effect of clamping cartotid and vertebral arteries on the blood pressure in sheep. J. Physiol. 1960, 151, 39–40. [Google Scholar]
  38. Baldwin, B.A.; Bell, F.R. The anatomy of the cerebral circulation in the sheep and ox. J. Anat. 1963, 97, 203–215. [Google Scholar]
  39. Kamijyo, Y.; Garcia, J.H. Carotid arterial supply of the feline brain. Applications to the study of regional cerebral ischemia. Stroke 1975, 6, 361–369. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Bugge, J. The cephalic arterial system in carnivores, with special reference to the systematic classification. Acta Anat. 1978, 101, 45–61. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Simoens, P.; Lauwers, H.; De Geest, J.; De Schaepdrijver, L. Functional morphology of the cranial retia mirabilia in the domestic mammals. Schw. Arch. Fur Tierheilkd. 1987, 129, 295–307. [Google Scholar]
  42. Kier, E.L.; Conlogue, G.J.; Zhuang, Z. High-resolution computed tomography imaging of the cranial arterial system and rete mirabile of the cat (Felis catus). Anat. Rec. 2019, 302, 1958–1967. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  43. Ziemak, H.; Frackowiak, H.; Zdun, M. Domestic cat’s internal carotid artery in ontogenesis. Vet. Med. 2021, 66, 292–297. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Wiland, C. Zakres zmienności układu tętnic podstawy mózgowia u piesaków. Rocz. WSR. Pozn. 1967, 36, 215–231. [Google Scholar]
  45. Frąckowiak, H. Tętnice głowy u lisa pospolitego. Rocz. Akad. Rol. Pozn. 1978, 101, 59–66. [Google Scholar]
  46. Tanuma, K. A morphological study on the circle of Willis in the dog. Okajimas Folia Anat. Jap. 1981, 58, 155–175. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  47. Wiland, C. Badania porównawcze gałęzi korowych tętnicy środkowej mózgu u niektórych gatunków drapieżnych (Carnivora). Zesz. Nauk. ATR Bydgoszcz. 1991, 44, 1–52. [Google Scholar]
  48. Skoczylas, B.; Brudnicki, W.; Kirkiłło-Stacewicz, K.; Nowicki, W.; Wach, J. Cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery in silver fox (Vulpes vulpes). Pesqui. Veterinária Bras. 2016, 36, 1053–1057. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Brudnicki, W. Basilar arteries of the brain in domestic goat (Capra hircus L.). Electron. J. Pol. Agric. Univ. Ser. Vet. Med. 2000, 3, 02. [Google Scholar]
  50. Brudnicki, W. Morphometric analysis of the brain base arteries in fallow deer (Dama dama). Vet. Med. 2011, 56, 462–468. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  51. Godynicki, S. Tętnice głowy u sarny (Capreolus capreolus L.). Rocz. Akad. Rol. W Poznaniu. Wydział Zootech. 1971, 54, 35–45. [Google Scholar]
  52. König, H.E. Anatomie und Entwicklung der Blutgefässe in der Schädelhöhle der Hauswiederkäuer (Rind, Schaf und Ziege); Ferdinand Enke Verl: Stuttgart, Germany, 1979; pp. 1–215. [Google Scholar]
  53. Nickiel, R.; Schwarz, R. Vergleichende Betrachtung der Kopfarterien der Haussaugetiere (Katze, Hund, Schwein, Rind, Schaf, Ziege, Pferd). Zentralb. Veter. Reihe A 1963, 10, 89–120. (In German) [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Animals 13 03780 g001
Figure 1. The cerebral arterial circle. Dorsal view. Corrosion cast. 1—the middle cerebral artery; 2—the rostral cerebral artery; 3—the caudal communicating artery; 4—the caudal cerebral artery; 5—the rostral cerebellar artery; 6—the basilar artery.
Figure 1. The cerebral arterial circle. Dorsal view. Corrosion cast. 1—the middle cerebral artery; 2—the rostral cerebral artery; 3—the caudal communicating artery; 4—the caudal cerebral artery; 5—the rostral cerebellar artery; 6—the basilar artery.
Animals 13 03780 g001
Animals 13 03780 g002
Figure 2. The rostral part of the cerebral arterial circle. Ventral view. Latex preparation. 1—the rostral cerebral artery; 2—the middle cerebral artery; 3—the rostral communicating artery.
Figure 2. The rostral part of the cerebral arterial circle. Ventral view. Latex preparation. 1—the rostral cerebral artery; 2—the middle cerebral artery; 3—the rostral communicating artery.
Animals 13 03780 g002
Animals 13 03780 g003
Figure 3. The cerebral arterial circle. Ventral view. Latex preparation. 1—the rostral cerebral artery; 2—the middle cerebral artery; 3—the caudal communicating artery; 4—the caudal cerebral artery; 5—the rostral cerebellar artery; 6—the basilar artery; 7—the caudal cerebellar artery; 8—the rostral choroid artery.
Figure 3. The cerebral arterial circle. Ventral view. Latex preparation. 1—the rostral cerebral artery; 2—the middle cerebral artery; 3—the caudal communicating artery; 4—the caudal cerebral artery; 5—the rostral cerebellar artery; 6—the basilar artery; 7—the caudal cerebellar artery; 8—the rostral choroid artery.
Animals 13 03780 g003
Animals 13 03780 g004
Figure 4. The angio-CT scan of the head of a caracal. 1—the rete mirabile of the maxillary artery; 2—the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery; 3—the rostral cerebral artery; 4—the caudal communicating artery; 5—the rostral cerebellar artery; 6—the basilar artery; 7—the caudal cerebellar artery; 8—the vertebral artery.
Figure 4. The angio-CT scan of the head of a caracal. 1—the rete mirabile of the maxillary artery; 2—the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery; 3—the rostral cerebral artery; 4—the caudal communicating artery; 5—the rostral cerebellar artery; 6—the basilar artery; 7—the caudal cerebellar artery; 8—the vertebral artery.
Animals 13 03780 g004
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zdun, M.; Butkiewicz, A.F.; Zawadzki, M. The Arteries of the Encephalon Base in Caracal (Caracal caracal; Felidae; Carnivora). Animals 2023, 13, 3780. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243780

AMA Style

Zdun M, Butkiewicz AF, Zawadzki M. The Arteries of the Encephalon Base in Caracal (Caracal caracal; Felidae; Carnivora). Animals. 2023; 13(24):3780. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243780

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zdun, Maciej, Aleksander F. Butkiewicz, and Marcin Zawadzki. 2023. "The Arteries of the Encephalon Base in Caracal (Caracal caracal; Felidae; Carnivora)" Animals 13, no. 24: 3780. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243780

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop