The Branching Pattern of the Aortic Arch in Gallus Domesticus

Abstract

In birds, in contrast to mammals, two brachiocephalic trunks are the origin in the arch of aorta and give rise to the subclavian arteries and common carotid. The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular branching morphology of the aortic arch in Gallus Domesticus with the purpose of providing accurate data with regards to the arterial supply of these segments to researchers and clinicians. The biological material was represented by 10 adult chicken bodies with an average weight of 2 kg, females. After procurement of the biological material, the feathers, skin, muscles and sternum were removed for easy access to the heart. After left ventricular cannulation, epoxy resin mixed with red dye was injected. The body was immersed in 5% formaldehyde for 24 hours. Next, stratigraphic dissection was performed. Two brachiocephalic trunks branched continually from aortic arch caudoventral to the primary bronchi. The left subclavian artery gave rise to sternoclavicular, thoracic, axillary and intercostal and the same was observed to the right side. Due to this method we could observe the aortic arch of Gallus Domesticus being different from mammals in that the left and right brachiocephalic trunks are detached from it.