Variability in origin of some branches of aorta thoracica in rabbit

Abstract

The study investigated anatomical variations in the origin of some branches of aorta thoracica. It was carried out on thirty adult rabbits of both sexes. We prepared corrosive casts of the arterial system using Duracryl Dental®. They showed irregular origin of bilateral arteriae intercostales dorsales. Our results allowed us to state the following: in 63 % of cases the left arteriae intercostales dorsales originated more cranially than the right ones and in 20 % they originated at the same level from aorta thoracica. In 7 % of cases we observed that in the cranial section the right arteriae intercostales dorsales arose more cranially than the left ones and starting from the level of the ninth thoracic vertebra the left arteriae intercostales dorsales originated more cranially than the right ones. The origin of these arteries converged in the caudal direction. The present study was conducted in order to complete the picture of arterial supply of the dorsal thorax which complements the rabbit spinal blood supply.