The right azygos vein in agouti (Dasyprocta aguti, rodentia)

Abstract

The behaviour of the azygos vein, its formation and topography were studied in 10 cutias (Dasyprocta aguti, rodentia) adults (6 males and 4 females) captured in the State of Piauí, Brazil. This research intends to be a base for other investigations, particularly those with reference to zootechnical exploration of this species. The azygos venous system was injected with latex (Neoprene 671), then the animals were put in watery solution of formol 10%, and dissected. In all specimens it was observed that the azygos vein always arrives in the cranial vena cava on a level with fourth intercostal space. The azygos vein receives more frequently (50%), the intercostal veins on the right side and 5 (50%) on the left one. The tributaries of the azygos vein are the phrenic veins (l00%), and the broncoesophagea vein (30%). The hemiazygos vein is in all cases on the left side and in 60% of the cases on the right side. The azygos vein communicates with the left hemiazygos vein (90%), with the right one (100%), and with the vena cava caudal and intervertebral veins, with equal frequency (30%).