An Anatomical Study Using Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Rhinoscopy of the Nasal Cavity of Domestic Cat (<i>Felis silvestris catus</i> L.) and Big Cats: Lion (<i>Panthera leo leo</i> L.), Leopard (<i>Panthera pardus kotiya</i> L.), and Cheetah (<i>Acinonyx jubatus jubatus</i> S.)
Elena Díaz Martínez,
Alberto Arencibia Espinosa,
Marta Soler Laguía,
David Kilroy,
Francisco Martínez Gomariz,
Diego Luis Casas García,
Cayetano Sánchez Collado,
Francisco Gil Cano,
José Raduán Jaber,
Gregorio Ramírez Zarzosa
Affiliations
Elena Díaz Martínez
Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Alberto Arencibia Espinosa
Department of Morphology, Anatomy and Embriology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Transmontaña, Arucas, 35416 Las Palmas, Spain
Marta Soler Laguía
Department of Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
David Kilroy
UCD Veterinary Science Centre, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
Francisco Martínez Gomariz
Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Diego Luis Casas García
Centro Veterinario de Mínima Invasión Canarias CVMIC, 35019 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Cayetano Sánchez Collado
Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Francisco Gil Cano
Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
José Raduán Jaber
Department of Morphology, Anatomy and Embriology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Transmontaña, Arucas, 35416 Las Palmas, Spain
Gregorio Ramírez Zarzosa
Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathological Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
The objective of this work was to study the normal anatomy of the nasal cavity of the three species of big cats (leopard, lion, and cheetah) compared to the domestic cat through the use of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and rhinoscopy. Computed tomography allowed us to clearly visualize the entire bony and cartilaginous framework that supports the nasal cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging permitted better visualization of the soft tissues of this cavity. On the other hand, rhinoscopy enabled the direct visualization of the mucosa of the vestibule and nasal cavity, which is very useful in the diagnosis of masses or foreign bodies. Furthermore, with this technique, it has been possible to observe several small orifices from the nasolacrimal duct, the pharyngeal auditory tube, and the lateral nasal gland. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and rhinoscopy are useful tools in analysis of the anatomical characteristics of the nasal cavity in these species.
