The branching of the aortic arch in the Eurasian bittern (Botaurus stellaris, Linnaeus 1758)

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the vascular architecture of the aortic arch in the Eurasian bittern. For this purpose, the heart arteries of two bitterns were evaluated. The latex injection method was used to observe the branching of the aortic arch. Two brachiocephalic trunks were arising separately from the aortic arch and these arteries were giving to the common carotid and subclavian arteries. One of the thin branches arising from the subclavian artery was the sternoclavicular artery, which was in turn dividing into a sternal and a clavicular artery supplying the thoracic inlet and pectoral muscles. After the branching of the sternoclavicular artery, the axillary arteries were originating from the subclavian arteries. The thickest branch of the subclavian artery was the thoracic artery, which was dividing into internal and external thoracic arteries. Moreover, the brachiocephalic trunks were giving rise to the common carotid arteries and these were running cranially, giving rise to tracheosyringeal branches supplying the trachea and syrinx, thyroid artery, esophageal branches, artery of the comes nervi vagi and vertebral trunk. It is hoped that this study will enhance morphological data on exotic birds since the reports on species-specific vascular morphology in wild birds are insufficient and lacking in detail.

Keywords

• aortic arch
• arterial branching
• bittern