The contribution of the middle cerebral artery and callosal artery to the vascularisation of the Facies convexa of the brain in horses with reference to the equine-specific cartographic pattern of the neopallium.

This research presents a new cartographic system to understand the specific patterns of blood vessel branching (vascular ramification) in the equine brain. More specifically, it focuses on the two main arteries, the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the callosal artery (CA), that vascularize the equine neopallium’s Facies convexa, the outer surface of the cerebral hemispheres.

Methodology

• The researchers studied 17 adult warmblood horses’ brains to decipher the equine-specific patterns of cerebral vascular ramifications.
• They focused primarily on the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the callosal artery (CA) as they span the broadest area of the convex surface of the neopallium – a significant area of interest for surgical treatment of skull and brain trauma.
• They divided the exterior of the neopallium into 15 clearly marked sectors, with boundaries designated by primary grooves (sulci) and additional delineating lines.
• They then used graphical overlays to topographically map the paths and outlets of the principal branches of the MCA and CA.

Results

• The middle cerebral artery (MCA) was found to have six primary branches, distributed across the neopallium’s widest portion, although it did not extend to its frontal and rear poles.
• The callosal artery (CA) had seven main branches, extending from the medial side of the hemisphere across its dorsal margin, thereby supplying the frontal and dorsal sectors of the neopallium’s Facies convexa.

Conclusions

• The topographical evaluation of vascular branching patterns in conjunction with the cartographic sector system of the neopallium takes into account the unique surface architecture of the equine brain.
• It also highlighted distinct vascular supply areas and situations where multiple supplies exist, especially in sectors presumed to be associated with the motor area of the equine brain.

This research, therefore, provides a valuable anatomical tool that not only aids in understanding the unique characteristics of the equine brain, but also plays a crucial role in developing strategies for surgical intervention in cases of brain injury.