Left cranial vena cava in a horse.
Abstract: A complete left cranial vena cava (LCVC) was found in a normal horse. The LCVC was well developed, but there was a complete absence of the right cranial vena cava. The azygous vein was normally distributed on the right side of the thoracic vertebral bodies but passed ventral to the aortic arch to empty into the cranial vena cava on the left close to the origin of the aortic arch. The LCVC passed over the dorsal aspect of the left atrium to reach the coronary sulcus on the caudal aspect of the heart. The LCVC opened into the right atrium via a 5 cm diameter orifice (orifice of coronary sinus). The vena cordis magna joined the LCVC 6 cm from the orifice of the coronary sinus. Complete dissection of the horse revealed no other developmental abnormalities. This case is compared with similar cases in the literature.
Publication Date: 1991-03-01 PubMed ID: 1877759DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.1991.tb00289.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper reports the discovery of a full left cranial vena cava (LCVC) in a typical horse, and reviews this anatomical variation with similar cases existing in scientific literature.
Overview of the Left Cranial Vena Cava
- During the anatomical study of a horse, researchers found a complete Left Cranial Vena Cava (LCVC), a central vein which is not typically present in horses. This discovery is unique in the sense that while the LCVC was well-developed, the horse completely lacked a right cranial vena cava, which is typically present.
Path of the Azygous Vein
- The research describes that the azygous vein, usually located on the right side of the thoracic vertebral bodies, deviated from its usual path. Instead, it passed under the arch of the aorta and then emptied into the LCVC near the origin of the aortic arch.
Positioning of the LCVC
- The research states that the LCVC coursed over the dorsal aspect of the left atrium to reach the coronary sulcus on the rear aspect of the heart. The LCVC entered the right atrium through an opening, or orifice, with a diameter of about 5 cm, known as the orifice of the coronary sinus.
Joining of Vena Cordis Magna
- The study observes that the vena cordis magna, another large vein, connected with the LCVC about 6 cm away from the orifice of the coronary sinus.
Evaluation of Other Potential Anomalies
- The research emphasizes that there were no other anatomical abnormalities found in the horse upon complete dissection and study, making this an isolated case of LCVC development.
Comparison to Similar Cases
- Finally, this unique case of LCVC in a horse is compared with similar cases documented in existing scientific literature to provide a comprehensive understanding and context for the anomaly.
Cite This Article
APA
Cox VS, Weber AF, de Lima A.
(1991).
Left cranial vena cava in a horse.
Anat Histol Embryol, 20(1), 37-43.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0264.1991.tb00289.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Azygos Vein / abnormalities
- Coronary Vessel Anomalies / pathology
- Coronary Vessel Anomalies / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / abnormalities
- Vena Cava, Superior / abnormalities
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Edwards LA, Kaplan JL, Oldach MS, Magdesian KG, Louie EW, Stern JA, Berryhill E. Closure of a patent ductus arteriosus in a 2-week-old llama cria using an Amplatz canine duct occluder. Can Vet J 2022 Jul;63(7):706-710.
- Ranjan R, Dosdall D, Norlund L, Higuchi K, Silvernagel JM, Olsen AL, Davies CJ, MacLeod R, Marrouche NF. Diagnostic imaging and pacemaker implantation in a domestic goat with persistent left cranial vena cava. J Vet Cardiol 2014 Mar;16(1):45-50.
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