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Veterinary medicine and science2025; 11(3); e70298; doi: 10.1002/vms3.70298

Major Salivary Gland Examinations of the Donkey (Equus asinus) Using Sectional Anatomy, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Abstract: Visualizing the major salivary glands (MSGs) in domestic mammals using plain radiology and identifying damaged their structures is impossible. To accurately display MSGs, the knowledge of normal sectional imaging anatomy is essential for veterinarians, aiding them significantly in identifying the exact relations and position of MSGs; however, no reports on the MSGs sectional imaging anatomy in this species have been made. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gross sections of MSGs. Methods: Seven healthy adult donkeys were used in this study. The sectioned heads were evaluated by CT and 1.5 Tesla MRI. After imaging, the frozen slab sections were photographed, and identified anatomic structures were matched with structures on corresponding CT and/or MRI images. Results: The main topographical anatomy references were the external auditory canal and the digastricus muscle for the parotid salivary gland (PSG), digastricus muscle, body of thyroid cartilage and thyrohyoid muscle for the rostral and caudal lobes of the mandibular salivary gland (MSG) as well as the mylohyoid muscle and tongue for the polystomatic sublingual salivary gland (PSSG). The main CT landmarks for PSG were the external auditory canal, atlas wing and digastricus muscle for the caudal lobe, the body of thyroid cartilage and thyrohyoid muscle for the rostral lobe of MSG and the body of mandible and tongue for PSSG. The consistent MRI landmarks were the external auditory canal, the guttural pouch and maxillary vein for PSG, the body of thyroid cartilage and the thyrohyoid muscle for MSG's rostral lobe. The PSSG was not discerned in MRI. The sectional anatomy and imaging of donkey MSGs were similar to those that have been reported in the horse; the principal difference involved the perforation of the PSG substance in horse by the maxillary vein. Conclusions: Labelled transverse cross-sectional imaging anatomy of the donkey MSGs was produced sequentially as an initial reference to aid in evaluating and interpretating of the sectional imaging studies of these structures in this species.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-04-09 PubMed ID: 40198540DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70298Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study aims to provide a clear understanding of the major salivary glands (MSGs) of donkeys using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gross sections, which could serve as a useful tool for veterinarians.

Objective and Methods of the Study

  • The primary objective of this research was to examine the major salivary glands (MSGs) of donkeys. This is vital as there have been no prior reports on the sectional imaging anatomy of MSGs in donkeys.
  • The researchers used seven healthy adult donkeys for the study. The sectioned heads of these animals were evaluated using Computed Tomography (CT) and 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
  • Following the imaging, the frozen slab sections were photographed, and the identified anatomical structures were matched with structures on corresponding CT and/or MRI images.

Results of the Research

  • Through the study, researchers identified the key anatomical reference points for the different salivary glands. For the Parotid Salivary Gland (PSG), the main references were the external auditory canal and the digastricus muscle.
  • The main CT landmarks for the Parotid Salivary Gland (PSG) were established as the external auditory canal, the atlas wing, and the digastricus muscle for the caudal lobe.
  • MRI landmarks identified were the external auditory canal, the guttural pouch, and maxillary vein for PSG and the body of thyroid cartilage and the thyrohyoid muscle for the Mandibular Salivary Gland’s (MSG) rostral lobe.
  • The Polystomatic Sublingual Salivary Gland (PSSG) could not be discerned in the MRI.

Conclusions and Implications of the Study

  • The study’s results provided labelled transverse cross-sectional imaging anatomy of the donkey MSGs, which will serve as an initial reference point for veterinarians evaluating and interpreting sectional imaging studies of this particular species.
  • The sectional anatomy and imaging of donkey MSGs were found to be similar to those reported in horses. The main difference observed was the perforation of the PSG substance in horses by the maxillary vein.
  • This research is crucial as it fills a gap of knowledge around the sectional imaging anatomy of MSGs in donkeys, which it does using modern imaging techniques like CT and MRI.

Cite This Article

APA
Nourinezhad J, Abdi A, Moarabi A, Hanafi MG, Fatahian Dehkordi RA, Tomańska A. (2025). Major Salivary Gland Examinations of the Donkey (Equus asinus) Using Sectional Anatomy, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Vet Med Sci, 11(3), e70298. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70298

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 3
Pages: e70298

Researcher Affiliations

Nourinezhad, Jamal
  • Division of Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abdi, Albert
  • Graduated Ph.D student of Comparative Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Moarabi, Abdolvahed
  • Division of Radiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
Hanafi, Mohamad Ghasem
  • Department of Radiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Fatahian Dehkordi, Rahmat Allah
  • Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
Tomańska, Anna
  • Division of Animal Anatomy, Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Equidae / anatomy & histology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
  • Salivary Glands / anatomy & histology
  • Salivary Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Female

Grant Funding

  • SCU.VB1400.770 / Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz

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