Anatomical studies on the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries of the Barbados Black Belly sheep

Abstract

Introduction: The Barbados Black Belly is a breed of domestic sheep in the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Anatomical studies on the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries are necessary to know the pattern of its blood supply to gain information in benefit of experimental surgery. Materials and Methods: The thoracic part of the aorta of five sheep was injected with red latex. Careful gross dissection of the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries was performed either after embedding in 10% formalin solution for 2-3 days. Results: The cranial mesenteric artery originated from the abdominal aorta, caudally to the celiac trunk, giving caudal duodenal artery, jejunal arteries, ileal arteries, ileocolic artery and middle colic artery. The caudal mesenteric artery arises from the aorta, cranially to the external iliac arteries, originating the left colic and cranial rectal arteries. Conclusion: cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries supplied the small and large intestine of the Barbados Black Belly sheep except caudal part of the large intestine which were supplied by the middle and caudal rectal arteries.

Keywords

anatomy - mesenteric arteries - intestine - sheep