Arterial and venous vascularization of the lung in an American mink (Neovison vison)

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive anatomic overview of normal pulmonary vascularization in an American mink (Neovison vison), with 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 lungs of fifteen minks of different age and gender. Dissection is conducted along with injection 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 heart, pulmonary trunk divides ventrally from the site of tracheal bifurcation. The divisions were identified as 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 lobes in the right lung. Total of five pulmonary veins leave pulmonary lobes and enter 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.