Macroscopic and Radiographic Anatomy of the Abdominal Aorta in Brachycephalic and Mesocephalic Dogs

• Grant number: 25/12480-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Fabrício Singaretti de Oliveira
• Grantee: Beatriz Vilas Bôas Franceschi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Understanding the location of the abdominal aorta is essential to prevent bleeding during surgery, diagnose vascular problems, perform anesthetic blocks accurately, and deal with abdominal emergencies more effectively. In addition, this knowledge is crucial to interpret imaging exams and plan less invasive procedures, increasing safety and improving the treatment of animals. The objective is to describe and compare the macroscopic and radiographic anatomy of the abdominal aorta and its branches in brachycephalic and mesocephalic dogs, highlighting the anatomical differences and their clinical and surgical implications. We will report, anatomically, the branching of the abdominal aorta (celiac, cranial mesenteric, renal, caudal mesenteric, external iliac, internal iliac, and median sacral arteries) and determine, radiographically, from which vertebral height the branches of the abdominal aorta emerge. Ten cadavers of brachycephalic dogs and ten of mesocephalic dogs will be used, which will be subjected to chemical preparation with 5% glycerinated ethyl alcohol (120 mL/kg) and curing salts (20% sodium chloride, 1% nitrite and 1% sodium nitrate, in the same quantity as glycerinated alcohol). Afterwards, a solution composed of red colored latex and barium sulfate will be injected in the amount of 15 mL/kg of barium sulfate solution diluted in water (1:1), in the proportion of 1:4 with latex solution. The cadavers will be radiographed at the Veterinary Hospital of the Institution, in order to verify the radiographic anatomy of the vascularization of the abdominal aorta, comparing brachycephalic and mesocephalic dogs and dissected for anatomical visualization. (AU)