The macroscopic vascular anatomy of the equine ethmoidal area.

The research article focuses on the study of the vascular anatomy of the ethmoidal region in horses and ponies using vascular-corrosion casts.

Methodology

• The research was conducted on six normal horses and two normal ponies.
• Using vascular-corrosion casts, which are 3D representations of the vascular system, the researchers studied the vascular anatomy of the ethmoidal area, situated near the nasal region.

Anatomical Findings

• The research noted that the key arterial supply to the ethmoidal area originates from within the skull, an intracranial source.
• Two arteries, the internal and external ethmoidal arteries, join on the rostral intracranial surface of the cribriform plate. The cribriform plate is a sieve-like structure that separates the cranial cavity from the nasal cavity.
• This joining forms the arterial ethmoidal rete, a web-like network of arteries situated in the ethmoid area.

Blood Supply to Ethmoid Labyrinth

• The arterial ethmoidal rete branches out and passes through holes in the cribriform plate to supply blood to the ethmoid labyrinth, a complex structure within the nasal cavity that aids in smell.
• Additionally, a minor arterial supply to the lower region of the ethmoid labyrinth comes from a small rear nasal branch of the sphenopalatine artery, which is the chief supply to the nasal region.

Venous Drainage

• Another significant finding from the study was the venous drainage pattern. It was found that multiple, parallel, small veins (venules) drain the ethmoid labyrinth towards its pointy end.
• These venules then join the venous drainage from the surrounding sinuses, part of the nasal cavity, thereby leaving the ethmoidal area and carrying deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

In summary, this research contributes significantly to our understanding of the vascular system within the ethmoidal region of equines (horses and ponies), which has implications for veterinary care of these animals, particularly regarding surgeries in this region.