Identification of tree species from the Peruvian tropical amazon “Selva Central” forests according to wood anatomy

The “Selva Central” of Peru is characterized by its forest species richness that produces quality wood for countless uses. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the wood and its macroscopic anatomy, which is an important tool for the botanical identification of tree species. For this purpose, 13 sawmills located in 3 provinces were selected that exploit several tree species of “Selva Central”. Sampling of representative woods was carried out, identified by common names and, in the laboratory, they were polished, examined, and grouped by the similarity of the macroscopic anatomical structure, leading to the tree species identification. Twenty tree species were identified, belonging to 17 genera, with emphasis on the Lauraceae and Fabaceae families. However, Moraceae, Meliaceae, Lecythidaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Bignoniaceae, Myristicaceae, Combretaceae, and Burseraceae families were also identified. The anatomical structures of all the identified tree species were described, transversal and longitudinal tangential cross section images were collected, and a species identification key was constructed. The implications and importance of tree species identification via wood anatomy were discussed, in terms of controlling forest exploitation, traceability of the production chain, and the future development of an artificial intelligence tree-species identification method.

Anatomy of Cowper’s gland in humans suggesting a secretion and emission mechanism facilitated by cooperation of striated and smooth muscles

This study presents the detailed anatomy of the Cowper’s gland in humans. Elucidating the mechanism of secretion and emission of the Cowper’s gland requires analysis of the muscles around the Cowper’s gland. We hypothesized that the Cowper’s gland involves not only smooth muscle but also the striated muscles of the pelvic floor. Here, we provide comprehensive and three-dimensional anatomy of the Cowper’s gland and its surrounding structures, which overcomes the current local and planar understanding. In this study, seven male corpses of body donors were used to conduct macroscopic anatomy, histology, and three-dimensional reconstruction. The Cowper’s gland was surrounded laterally and posterosuperiorly by striated and smooth muscles, respectively. The striated muscle bundle was connected from the superficial transverse perineal muscle, levator ani, and external anal sphincter to the external urethral sphincter (rhabdosphincter). The smooth muscle was part of the deep transverse perineal muscle and entered between the bilateral Cowper’s glands and lobules. Our findings indicate that the secretion and emission of the Cowper’s gland in humans are carried out through the cooperation of striated and smooth muscles.

HUMAN PANCREAS IN PERINATES AND ADULTS- A CADAVERIC STUDY

Background: Literatures are available on study of both macroscopical and microscopical anatomy of adult pancreas. Microscopical study of fetal pancreas are also found. Very few studies are available on macroscopical study of pancreas in perinates. Macroscopic anatomy of the pancreas in perinates is important for surgical and investigative procedure. The present study aimed to record anatomical variation of the pancreas i Objectives: n perinates and adults. The study was done in Anatomy department, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam. 35 Methods: perinatal and 15 adult specimens from cadaver were collected. A thorough morphological study was done and the results were recorded. Results: Normal macroscopic anatomy & variations, if any, of the pancreas were noted and discussed with previous studies. Conclusion: Knowledge of the anatomy of the pancreas will be added to the previous study for future reference. It will be helpful for planning a safe surgery in pediatric age group and for diagnostic procedures, provide a comparison with the adult and provides data for evolutionary changes.

DESCARTES and his project of a fantasized brain

ABSTRACT. Interest in anatomy dates from the earliest times. Such knowledge was acquired through dissections of animals and human corpses by many researchers. The macroscopic anatomy of the varied structures of the brain were identified over the centuries, and the predominating solid substance was seen as amorphous, and devoid of any specific function, until the Renaissance. René Descartes, a personage with a brilliant and creative mind, conceived the brain, its structure and function, in a distinct manner to what was known at his time. He valued the solid matter and gave it, for the first time, a theoretical minute structure, related to a presumptive function based on the presence of the pineal gland and the animal spirits, underlying cognitive, sensory and motor activities. Such structural view was endorsed, in a given sense, by the microscopic findings of Marcello Malpighi, which begun to change the understanding of the nervous system.

Macroscopic anatomy of the fetal nasal cavity

Objectives to describe the macromicroscopic anatomy of the nasal cavity in the intermediate fetal period of human ontogenesis. Material and methods. The object of the study was horizontal histotopograms of the nose of 15 fetuses of both genders at the age of 1922 weeks of the intermediate fetal period of ontogenesis. The study used the method of macromicroscopic preparation, the modified method of saw cuts according to N.I. Pirogov, and the histotopographic method. Results. On the horizontal histotopographic sections the external nose was shaped like a triangle. The structures of the external nose were covered with skin soldered to the underlying tissues. In soft tissues, there was a large accumulation of arterial and venous vessels, nerves, and glands. In the intermediate fetal period, the nasal passages had the shape of a triangle, with the base turned to the nasal part of the pharynx. It was found that the anterior-posterior size of the nasal septum in fetuses of the intermediate fetal period was 14.054.34 mm, with a range of fluctuations from 5.75 to 19.85 mm. The anterior-posterior size of the nasal septum in female fetuses was greater than the anterior-posterior size of the septum of male fetuses. The value of the width of the nasal septum was the maximum in the lower third, and reached up to 2.540.67 mm. The narrowest part of the nasal septum was its middle third, the value was 1.630.47 mm. The areas of the nasal passages had no bilateral differences. Conclusion. In the intermediate fetal period there is the establishment of qualitative and quantitative macromicroscopic anatomy of the nasal cavity. All the main structures are determined: the nasal septum, nasal conchs, mucosa, and blood vessels. Sexual differences begin to form, and there are no bilateral differences. Quantitative characteristics of the structures of the nasal cavity in fetuses can serve as a justification for early surgical intervention in choanal atresia.

Carl Toldt Centennial, Surgeon and Anatomist

Carl Florian Toldt was an Austrian anatomist who made meaningful contributions worldwide and defined what is one of the most important surgical landmarks in abdominal surgery. Through his research studies, the embryologic dissection plane known as the “White Line of Toldt” represents an important anatomical landmark that helps to mobilize either the ascending or descending colon. His career spanned over 45 years, beginning in Verona and continuing to Prague and Vienna. He was an author of several innovative books and scientific articles regarding micro- and macroscopic anatomy. In addition, he received numerous recognitions and prizes for his work, making him an essential figure in the medical scientific community. Even a street in Vienna, Karl-Toldt-Weg, is named in his honor. The purpose of this historical article is to celebrate and honor Toldt 100 years following his death, remembering his scientific contributions to the medical and surgical fields and giving thanks for his numerous accomplishments. This article brings light to the man behind the eponym.

Internal Macroscopic Anatomy and Electrical Evaluation of the Bradypus variegatus Heart

Background: The Bradypus variegatus species presents peculiar anatomophysiological properties and many aspects of its organic systems still need to be clarified, especially regarding the cardiovascular system, given its participation in vital activities. Disorderly anthropic action has had drastic consequences in sloth populations and the need to treat sick and injured animals is increasingly common. To this end, the importance of knowing its characteristics is emphasized. Therefore, this study proposed to describe the internal macroscopic structures of the sloth's heart, as well as to measure the ventricular walls and indicate the electrical activity of the organ.Materials, Methods and Results: For the dissections, 15 Bradypus variegatus cadavers were used (1 young female, 9 adults females and 5 adult males) belonging to the Área de Anatomia of the Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recide, PE, Brazil. After they were fixed and preserved, the specimens received a midsagittal incision in the chest, followed by soft tissue folding and removal of ribs to access the heart. The organ was derived from the cavity and sectioned sagittal medially to identify its internal anatomy. Ventricular walls and interventricular septum were measured with a steel caliper (150 mm / 0.02 mm). An electrocardiogram was performed to determine the electrical profile on 5 healthy B. variegatus sloths, living under semi-livestock conditions at the Recife Zoo, PE, Brazil. The electrodes were taken from the regions, scapular and glutes of the animals that were called hugging a keeper during the procedure, carried out in the Zoo itself, using a portable device. Based on the data obtained, sloths have cardiac chambers separated by septa, however between atria and ventricles, in both antimeres, there are atrioventricular ostia, where valves are found, consisting of 3 valves on the right and 2 on the left. The atria are practically smooth inside and have their cavity enlarged by the atria, the right being larger than the left, these having a greater amount of pectineal muscles in relation to the atria. The ventricles have trabeculae and papillary muscles, 3 on the right and 2 on the left. These muscles hold the tendinous chords that connect the valves. The existence of trabeculae marginal septum was not evidenced. The thickness of the wall of the left ventricle, as well as that of the interventricular septum, proved to be greater than the thickness of the wall of the right ventricle, regardless of the age or sex of the animals. Based on the electrocardiographic recordings, the sloths presented sinus rhythm, with a heart rate between 67 and 100 bpm. The electrical axis ranged from -60º to -90º. The P wave is smoother than the QRS complex. While the S-T segment was classified as isoelectric. The T wave was shown to be + and predominantly > or = at 25% of the S wave, which characterized an rS type QRS deflection in both females and males.Discussion: The general characteristics of the cardiac chambers in sloths are similar to those observed in other domestic and wild mammals. However, the presence of pectineal muscles associated with the atria and auricles differs from that observed in mammals such as the paca and raccoon and in birds such as the ostrich, which have trabecular structures in these cavities. The number of valves in sloths is equal to the anteater. However, it has a marginal trabeculae septum, not seen in Bradypus variegatus. According to the electrocardiographic findings, the rhythm was sinus, but much lower than that observed in the capuchin monkey, which also maintains arboreal habits. Keywords: Xenarthra, common sloth, internal anatomy, heart, electrocardiogram.Descritores: Xenarthra, preguiça-comum, anatomia interna, coração, eletrocardiograma.

Macroscopical Anatomy and Radiographic Study of the Non-Lactating Udder of Adult Local Iraqi Cow (Bos taurus)

The purpose of this study was to describe some anatomical and radiological features of the non-lactating udder of adult local Iraqi cow. Eight udder of local breed cow clinically appeared healthy and aged between 2-5 years were obtained from a local slaughterhouse located at Baghdad province. Five udders were used for anatomical study and the rest 3 udders were used for the radiological study. The study primed to describe the macroscopic anatomy of the udder and investigate the udder’s normal blood supply using red-colored latex. The mammography method was to describe the duct system of the glandular tissue of the mammary gland which was performed using the iodine compound and barium sulphate as contrast media. The results showed that the udder was located in the inguinal region and covered by pigmented skin with fine hair and composed of four quarters. Each quarter has one teat which was long, cylindrical in shape, opened with one orifice; and internally has longitudinal folds in its mucous membrane. The blood supply of udder by the external pudendal arteries (left and right) branched into cranial and caudal mammary ones. The radiological study showed that the glandular tissue of udder was composed of complex ducal system which included the teat canal (long narrow), teat sinus (spindle-shaped cavity), lactiferous sinus (large round structure), lactiferous ducts, cistern ducts, interlobular duct, intralobular duct and alveoli (round sac like).In conclusion, this study is considered as an important contribution of describing the anatomical features, main blood supply and a pathway of the intraglandular duct system of the non-lactating udder in local cow breed which is necessary for surgical operations in several cases of the udder.

Intraspecific macroscopic digestive anatomy of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), including a comparison of frozen and formalin-stored specimens

Digestive tract measurements are often considered species specific, but little information exists on the degree to which they change during ontogeny within a species. Additionally, access to anatomical material from nondomestic species is often limited, with fixed tissues possibly representing the only available source, though the degree to which this material is representative in terms of dimensions and weight is debatable. In the present study, the macroscopic anatomy of the digestive tract (length of intestinal sections, and tissue weights of stomach and intestines) of 58 Lemur catta [ranging in age from 1 month (neonates) to 25 years], which had been stored frozen (n = 27) or fixed in formalin (n = 31), was quantified. Particular attention was paid to the caecum and the possible presence of an appendix. The intraspecific allometric scaling of body mass (BM)0.46[0.40;0.51] for total intestine length and BM0.48[0.41;0.54] for small intestine length was higher than the expected geometric scaling of BM0.33, and similar to that reported in the literature for interspecific scaling. This difference in scaling is usually explained by the hypothesis that, to maintain optimal absorption, the diameter of the intestinal tube cannot increase geometrically. Therefore, geometric volume gain of increasing body mass is accommodated for by more-than-geometric length scaling. According to the literature, not all L. catta have an appendix. No appendix was found in the specimens in the present study. The proportions of length measurements did not change markedly during ontogeny, indicating that the proportions of the foetus are representative of those of the adult animal. By contrast, width and tissue-mass scaling of the caecum indicated disproportionate growth of this organ during ontogeny that was not reflected in its length. Compared to overall intraspecific variation, the method of storage (frozen vs. formalin) had no relevant impact on length or weight measurements.