Anatomical and histological study of the dorsal and ventral nasal conchal bullae in normal horses.

This study provides a detailed analysis of the dorsal and ventral conchal bullae (structures in the horse’s nose) to understand their role in cases of chronic unilateral nasal discharge caused by an infection. New anatomical and histological data is presented, which could potentially aid in the treatment of such disorders in horses.

Overview of the Research Study

• The study was conducted in response to the increasing interest in the nasal conchal bullae structures in horses, due to recent observations that highlight these bullae becoming infected and causing chronic unilateral nasal discharge.
• Specifically, the researchers closely examined the dorsal conchal bulla (DCB) and ventral conchal bulla (VCB), the features of which were previously insufficiently described.
• For the purpose of these examinations, fourteen cadaveric horse heads were dissected to expose the nasal conchal bullae.

Study Findings and Observations

• Various dimensions were measured including the length and height of each bulla, the number and orientation of drainage apertures, and the number of cellulae septae.
• The study provided quantifiable findings, such as average lengths of DCB and VCB (78 mm and 57 mm respectively), and their height (29 mm for DCB and 28 mm for VCB), as well as the ratio of these measurements to the total skull length.
• The results showed that the DCB was larger than the VCB and that the DCB contained more septae, cellulae, and drainage apertures than the VCB.
• It was observed that there were no identified connections between the bullae and the paranasal sinuses nearby.

Histological Examination Results

• Aside from anatomical observation, a histological examination was also conducted on randomly selected samples.
• This examination revealed that the bullae are made up of ciliated, pseudostratified, columnar epithelium over the glandular submucosa, potentially overlaying the turbinate bone and variously including hyaline cartilage.

Research Implications

• The study provides a more detailed anatomical and histological description of the DCB and VCB in horses than was previously available.
• This new information will hopefully assist in the successful treatment of health disorders related to these structures in horses, particularly those which cause chronic unilateral nasal discharge due to an infection in the bullae.