Computed tomographic anatomy and topography of the non-respiratory organs of coelomic cavity of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)

Authors

1 Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

4 Department of Basic science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Reptiles, especially turtles that inhabit both on land and water, have made some special adaptations. Many people keep turtles as pets. Therefore, the anatomical knowledge of turtles should be more carefully evaluated and used for therapeutic purposes. One of these turtles is European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Most of vital systems are enclosed by the carapace and the plastron so it cannot be examined customarily by clinicians. The noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques provide detailed information concerning these organs. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to give complete topographic information and knowledge about the position of the non respiratory organs of the coelomic cavity in the European pond turtle using Computed Tomography (CT) and usual anatomic methods. METHODS: 10 adult turtles (5 female, 5 male) were selected. All scans were obtained on a two detector scanner. In anatomical study three female and three male turtles were dissected. Two other female and male turtles were sectioned transversely. RESULTS: The results showed some differences in the position of the organs including stomach, gall bladder, liver and heart with those of other species. Moreover, the topography of the organs is described in retracted and protruded neck in this article. Retraction of the neck had an influence on the position of the organs such as oesophagus, stomach, liver and heart. CONCLUSIONS: The general morphological features of the non respiratory organs of the coelonic cavity of European pond turtle were examined by CT images and macroscopically in this study. Significant differences were found compared with other species.

Keywords

References

Anderson, S.C. (1972) Synopsis of the turtles, crocodiles and amphibaenians of Iran. Proceeding of the California Academy of Sciences. 4, 41: 501-528.
Barboza, P.S. (1995) Digesta passage and functional anatomy of the digestive tract in the desert tortoise (Xerobates agassizii). J Comp Physiol B. 165: 193-202.
Carpenter, J.W. (2012) Exotic Animal Formulary. (4th ed.) Saunders. Philadelphia, USA.
Di Bello, A., Valastro, C., Staffieri, F., Crovace, A. (2006) Contrast radiography of the gastrointestinal tract in sea turtles. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 47: 351-4.
Hailey, A. (1997) Digestive efficiency and gut morphology of omnivorous and herbivorous African tortoises. Can J Zool. 75: 787-794.
Krautwald Junghanns, M.E., Pees, M., Reese, S. (2011) Diagnostic Imaging of Exotic Pets,  (2nd ed.) Schlütersche. Hannover, Germany.
Long, C.T., Page, R.B., Howard, A.M., McKeon, G.P., Felt, S.A. (2010) Comparison of Gastrografin to barium sulfate as a gastrointestinal contrast agent in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 51: 42-7.
McArthur, S., Wilkinson, R., Meyer, J. (2004) Medicine and Surgery of Tortoises and Turtles,  (1st ed.) Blackwell. Oxford, UK.
Meyer, J. (1998) Gastrografin as a gastrointestinal contrast agent in the Greek tortoise (Testudo hermanni). J Zoo Wildl Med. 29: 183-189.
Mitchell, M.A. (2009) Manual of Exotic Pet Practice,  (1st ed.) Saunders. Philadelphia, USA.
Murray, M.J. (1996) Reptile Medicine and Surgery, (1st ed.) Saunders. Philadelphia, USA.
Murray, M.J. (2006) Reptile Medicine and Surgery.  (2nd ed.) Saunders. Philadelphia, USA.
O’Malley, B. (2005) Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species,  (1st ed.) Saunders. Philadelphia, USA.
Santos, A.L.Q., Ferreira, C.G., Pinto, J.G.S., Lima, C.A.P., Vieira, L.G., Brito, F.M.M. (2010) Radiographic anatomy aspects and gastrointestinal transit time in Podocnemis unifilis troschel, 1848 (Testudines, Podocnemididae). Acta Sci Biol Sci. 32: 431-435.
Schilger, B.J., Gabrisch, K. (1991) Atlas of Diagnostic Radiology of Exotic Pets, (1st ed.) Wolfe Publishing Ltd. London, UK.
Schwarz, T., Saunders, J. (2011) Veterinary computed tomography, (1st ed.) Wiley-Blackwell. Oxford, UK.
Valente, A.L., Cuenca, R., Zamora, M., Parga, M.L., Lavin, S., Alegre, F., Marco, I. (2007) Computed tomography of the vertebral column and coelomic structures in the normal loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Vet J. 174: 362–370.
Valente, A.L., Marco, I., Parga, M.L., Lavin, S., Alegre, F., Cuenca, R. (2008) Ingesta passage and gastric emptying times in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Res Vet Sci. 84: 132-9.
Zehtabvar, O., Tootian, Z., Vajhi, A.R., Shojaei, B., Rostami, A., Davudypoor, S., Sadeghinezhad, J., Ghaffari, H., Memarian, I. (2014) Computed tomographic anatomy and topography of the lower respiratory system of the european pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Iran J Vet Surg. 9: 9-16.
 
Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume 70, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
December 2015
Pages 411-418

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics