The angioarchitecture of the coeliac sympathetic ganglion complex
(CGC) of the common tree shrew
(Tupaia glis) was studied by the vascular corrosion cast technique
in conjunction with scanning electron
microscopy. The CGC of the tree shrew was found to be a highly vascularised
organ. It normally received
arterial blood supply from branches of the inferior phrenic, superior suprarenal
and inferior suprarenal
arteries and of the abdominal aorta. In some animals, its blood supply
was also derived from branches of
the middle suprarenal arteries, coeliac artery, superior mesenteric artery
and lumbar arteries. These arteries
penetrated the ganglion at variable points and in slightly different patterns.
They gave off peripheral
branches to form a subcapsular capillary plexus while their main trunks
traversed deeply into the inner part
before branching into the densely packed intraganglionic capillary networks.
The capillaries merged to form
venules before draining into collecting veins at the peripheral region
of the ganglion complex. Finally, the
veins coursed to the dorsal aspect of the ganglion to drain into the renal
and inferior phrenic veins and the
inferior vena cava. The capillaries on the coeliac ganglion complex do
not possess fenestrations.
Angioarchitecture of the coeliac sympathetic ganglion complex in the common tree shrew (Tupaia glis)
