Arterial and Venous Vascularization of the Lung in American Mink (Neovison Vison)

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive anatomic overview of normal pulmonary vascularization in American mink (Neovison vison), with an emphasis on venous and arterial peculiarities as regards its course and potential disruptions. The study is designed as macro-morphological and vascular network analysis of the lungs in fifteen minks of different age and gender. Dissection is conducted along with the injection and corrosion method in order to clearly visualize the vascular topology, bronchial tree, arterial and venous trees and their interconnections. The specimens exhibit consistence in the arterial branching pattern with negligible range of alterations. It was noticed that upon leaving the right ventricle of the heart, the pulmonary trunk divides ventrally from the site of tracheal bifurcation. The divisions were identified as the left and right pulmonary arteries, which then ramified in the left and right lung, respectively. Left a. pulmonalis further divides into two major branches: ramus lobi cranialis and ramus lobi caudalis, while the right a. pulmonalis gives five major branches for the lobes in the right lung. Total of five pulmonary veins leave the pulmonary lobes and enter the left atrium of the heart. Mink has a distinct niche in biomedical research, proving as a suitable model to enhance the understandings of the various diseases. Gained insights are valuable as reference values for examination of the vasculature in other Mustelidae species, recognition of potential deviations and vascular remodeling due to respiratory diseases.