Common opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) are found throughout the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. The present work was conducted on 10 skulls and mandibles of the common opossum to describe the osteology and foramina of these skulls and mandibles grossly and radiographically. The information that is garnered can be used to detect, diagnose, and treat head affections, as well as for comparative studies with the skulls and mandibles of other similar species. The skulls and mandibles were prepared and cleaned using standard method. All of the characteristic features of various standards views of the skulls bones, including dorsal, lateral, caudal and midsagittal, and the lateral and caudal views of the mandibles as well as the foramina of the skulls and mandibles were described and discussed. Each skull was divided into long facial and short cranial regions. No supraorbital foramen was observed in the skulls. The tympanic bulla was absent while there was the tympanic process of the alisphenoid. The temporal process of the zygomatic bone, zygomatic process of maxilla, and zygomatic process of the squamosal bone formed the zygomatic arch. The dental formula was confirmed. The bones and foramina of the skull and mandible were similar to other marsupial species and were homologue to that of other mammals.

Teaching practical veterinary anatomy using animal cadavers poses many challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitude of veterinary students towards animal cadaver dissection as a learning and teaching tool for veterinary anatomy. The study sample comprised of 57 students who passed the veterinary anatomy courses at school of veterinary medicine at The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. A questionnaire with 13 close-ended questions was prepared and distributed to the students. The results were collected and analyzed. The results showed that most of the students agreed about the importance of dissection of animal cadavers in teaching, learning and studying of veterinary anatomy. They preferred to dissect animal cadavers over the use of prosected specimens during practical sessions. As the former one allowed more hands on interaction with real structures and organs as well as the development of practical skills necessary for actual surgery. On the hand, most of the students disagreed with replacing the animal cadavers with plastic models or using computer assisted demonstrations. This study concluded that animal cadaveric dissection is an effective method of teaching in delivering veterinary anatomy knowledge and in developing surgical skills.

Objective: The objective of this study was to give detailed descriptions of the morphological and histological structures of the tongue of the Muscovy duck as it relates to their feeding habit. Materials and Methods: Ten adult Muscovy ducks weighing 2–4 kg were used. The ducks were slaughtered and their oral cavities were opened to detect in situ position of the tongues. Each tongue was dissected and examined grossly. Samples of various parts of the tongue were taken for routine histological examination. Results: The tongue of the Muscovy ducks was distinguished grossly as the apex, body, and root. A dorsal median sulcus, conical papillae, and lingual prominence were observed grossly. Microscopic observations showed the tongue of the Muscovy duck was covered by stratified squamous epithelium; keratinized and non-keratinized. The lamina propria of the tongue contained lingual glands, entoglossum cartilage, lymphoid nodules, as well as blood vessels and nerves. Conclusion: The morphological and histological variations of the tongue of the Muscovy duck may infer that its unique structures are related to their feeding habits.

Objective The taxonomic affiliations can be detected via the skull morphology. The objective of this study was to give a detailed gross anatomical and radiographic description of the bones and foramina of the skull and mandible of the lion. This information could be used in the identification of the skull and mandible of the lion, which is of great importance in taxonomic affiliation and to help the zoo veterinarians to detect, diagnose, and treat head conditions. Materials and Methods The current work was conducted on two skulls and mandibles of lions. The skulls and mandible were prepared using standard boiling and maceration technique. The gross and radiographic photos of the bones and foramina of the skull and mandible were taken using a Kodak digital camera and Siemens mobile full wave X-ray machine (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany). Results The skull of the lion comprised of facial and cranial parts. The nasal openings were large, and the bony orbit was incomplete. The supraorbital foramen was absent. The zygomatic arch was large. The frontal region had a deep longitudinal depression dorsally. The mandible was a paired bone with movable articulation, and it had strongly excavated masseteric fossa with a well-developed crest. The dental formula was 30 teeth consisting of small incisors, long canines and carnassial premolars. Conclusion The current study showed that the osteology and foramina of the skull and mandible of the lion were similar to those of other mammals. The information is important for taxonomic affiliation, and wildlife forensic as well as to help the zoo veterinarians to manage clinical head diseases in this species.

The aim of this study was to determine the morphometric values of the skull and the mandible of the common opossum from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. The skulls and mandibles were obtained from ten opossums captured for research purposes. The skulls and mandibles were prepared and cleaned using standard method. Some anatomical landmarks of the skulls and mandibles were identified and measured. The results were important for identification of the common opossum via comparison and discussion of our results with that of other marsupial species. Furthermore, the results had clinical importance with regard to regional nerve blocks of the infraorbital, inferior alveolar, and mental nerves for dental extraction and head surgery. This study concluded that by using the anatomical landmarks of the infraorbital and mental foramina it will be easier for the veterinarian surgeons during the application of local anesthetic agent for the infraorbital, inferior alveolar, and mental nerve blocks.

Objective: Veterinary Anatomy is considered as the backbone subject in the veterinary medicine program. Formalized specimens were not very much accepted by the veterinary students due to their wetness, bad smell and potential harmful effects. Plastination has evolved as a new technique for prolonged preservation of specimens by replacing the water and fat by a curable plastic polymer. Material and methods:The process of plastination involved fixation, dehydration, impregnation and curing. The plastinated specimens were used for teaching and learning of veterinary gross anatomy courses for veterinary students. Results: Plastinated specimens were appreciated by the staff and students as they were odorless, non-toxic and durable, needed less space for storage and they were used in teaching the veterinary anatomy courses. Plastinated specimens were used for studying not only in the dissection hall but also in the lecture room, both individually and in groups. Conclusion: The plastinated specimens were excellent for demonstration but they could not completely replace the traditional dissection because students learn best by exploratory and hands-on dissection. Moreover, the wet specimens provided a more accurate visual representation of the body parts and skills to aid in dealing with actual clinical cases in the future. Therefore, the plastinated and wet specimens were used simultaneously depending on the topic being taught at the time.

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