Brief description of the cardiac anatomy in a tiger (Panthera tigris, Linnaeus, 1758): a case report

Abstract

This article describes the cardiac anatomy of an 18-years-old male tiger that died at a local zoo. In general, the cardiac anatomy of this animal corresponded with that described for domestic carnivores. The left atrium received four pulmonary veins. In the right ventricle the musculus papillaris magnus and m. papillaris subarterial had the same size. In the left ventricle there was a greater development of the musculus papillaris subauricularis. The trabeculae carnae had a conspicuous size in a large part of the ventricles. The left coronary artery predominated, being responsible for the irrigation of the majority of the cardiac region; it divided itself into the ramus interventricularis paraconalis and circumflexus, the latter giving off the ramus interventricularis subsinuosus.

Keywords

• animal anatomy
• heart anatomy
• wild animals
• felidae
• carnivores
• coronary vessels