Extracranial guiding structures for navigation to specific topographical sectors of the equine neopallium: an anatomical investigation performing three-dimensional distance measurements in adult warm-blooded horses.

This study undertakes an anatomical exploration of the equine neopallium, involving topographical mapping of neopallium and correlating extracranial landmarks with intracranial areas, with the ultimate aim of providing more precise guidance for navigation to specific neurological sectors in horses.

Introduction and Aim of Study

• The study essentially conducts an anatomical investigation into the neopallium of adult warm-blooded horses, with two primary objectives.
• The first objective is to establish a cartographic subdivision of the neopallium, a part of the equine brain associated with higher order brain functions.
• The second aim is to find a topographical correlation between external (extracranial) landmarks and internal brain areas (intracranial) on the neopallium, which could make navigation to certain brain regions easier in equine medicine.

Methods

• The surface of the neopallium was divided into 15 sectors based on a new pattern of Primary Sulci, or the furrows on the brain’s surface.
• The researchers used a simple stereotactic device and computer-assisted measurement system to outline the topographical relationship between extracranial landmarks and specific intracranial sites.
• Measurements were performed between points on the horse’s head and on the isolated brain to elaborate this relationship.

Findings

• The researchers introduced an anatomical three-dimensional coordinate system for this study, which was crucial for facilitating measurements and calculations of the so-called ‘indirect distances’. These are characterized by their alignment with the three orthogonal axes (x, y, z) of the anatomical coordinate system.
• The comparison of indirect distances across different horses revealed that the center of each sector was located within a distinct morphometric residence area.
• The data also indicated that each sector center could be linked to a particular extracranial landmark, which was most suitable for the optimal allocation of the sector center point.

Conclusion

• This study provides important anatomical references for veterinary medicine, as it establishes a correlation between extracranial landmarks and intracranial areas on the neopallium in horses.
• This could enable more accurate navigation to certain neurological sectors in horses, enhancing the precision and efficacy of medical interventions.