Guttural pouch equine: topography and vascularization

Abstract

The guttural pouch is a diverticulum of the auditory tube, the function of which hasn’t been fully understood yet. The work reveals the anatomy and topography of the guttural pouch. This knowledge is necessary for the treatment of mycosis of the guttural pouch, disease leading to toxic hepatitis. The examination includes postmortem dissection, sagittal head section, and cerebral bilateral angioradiography. The auditory tube diverticulum is a complex anatomical structure, consisting of a volumetric cavity, divided by the stylohyoid into rostral and caudal sections. Large maxillary, external and internal carotid arteries, some cranial nerves pass along the lateral wall of the diverticulum. The tissues of the wall of the diverticulum are affected by the angiotropic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. The main role of the studied arteries in mycosis of the guttural pouch wall is to provide the pathogenic fungus with nutrients, which leads to destruction of vascular wall and lethal epistaxis. The placement of arteries near the most important cranial nerves causes the damage of them and the development of severe neurological disorders. The diameter of the arteries determines the choice of occlusive material for the surgical treatment of mycosis. Latin anatomical terminology corresponds to the 6th edition of the International Veterinary Anatomical Nomenclature.