Topography, morphology and the irrigation of the spleen in Trachemys scripta elegan, (WIED, 1838)

Abstract

This study was conduct using 20 turtles specie Trachemys scripta elegans, which 2 young females, 4 adults females, 8 young males and 6 adults males. Initially, it was took the hoof belly and, isolating the heart to identify more precisely the arteries was injected latex solution with red pigment through aorta descendens with one thin tube before aorta's bifurcation. After the latex injection, all the animals were submerged in 20% formaldeid water solution by a period of more than 72 hours. After that period, the arteries responsible by spleen irrigation were dissected. It was found in 30% of the cases the spleen was positioned behind colon transversum; and in 70% in front of colon transversum. Regarding the spleen irrigation, it was observed in 100% of the cases that arteria lienalis had its origin in arteria mesenterica cranialis. Which 30% had irrigation only by arteria lienalis. In 40% the irrigation was done by arteria lienalis and small branches of arteria colica sinistra. In 5% of the cases it was irrigated by arteria lienalis and by na unique branch sent by one of arteriae jejunales. In 5% of the cases the irrigation through arteria lienalis and by one branch of arteria pancreaticaduodenalis cranialis, and also by one artery with origin in the common trunk from arteriae jejunales. In 15% from the animals, irrigation was done by arteria lienalis and by branches from arteria pancreaticaduodenalis cranialis. In 5% of the cases the spleen was irrigated just by ramifications of arteria colica sinistra.