Vana102 – Veterinary Comparative Anatomy

Module 6. The Hemic & Lymphatic System

6.1.5 Comparative Anatomy of the Cardiovascular
System
sources:
Central Luzon State University – College of Veterinary
Science and Medicine (discussion video)
Pasquini & Spurgeon Anatomy of Domestic Animals:
Systemic and Regional Approach

Cardiovascular System -located within the mediastinum (60% lies in

Composed of: the left of the median plane)
 Heart
 All the vessels (serve as highway for carrying
blood)
Arteries – carry oxygenated blood,
except for pulmonary artery (carry
unoxygenated blood from the right
side of the heart to the lungs)
Veins – carry unoxygenated blood,
except for pulmonary vein (transfer freshly
oxygenated blood from the lungs to
the left atria of the heart)
Heart – serves as pump that contracts rhythmically
-brings appropriate pressure and maintain flow
-variation in size as larger animals need larger
of blood
heart to compensate demand for higher
-mammals & birds: have hearts with 4
pumping pressure
chambers
-gross modifications are seen at the branching
of arterial systems

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY

HEART

Dog Cat Large Small Horse Pig Bird

Ruminant Ruminant

*PH Carabao

inter-arterial
septum

left atrium
ascending
aorta

right atrium
Interventricular
septum

left ventricle
right ventricle
Ovoid in shape Comparatively Constructed Similar to the Like a laterally Relatively Four-
smaller than acc. to the dog but with a compressed small, 0.3% of chambered
Contributes .7 dogs general more pointed cone the pig’s body like in
% of the body mammalian apex weight mammals
weight of the Ovoid in shape plan Lies on the Occupies the
dog Located ventral part of ventral half of Conical
Blunt to slightly Fatty between the the middle the thoracic
Blunt apex pointed apex compared to 3rd and 6th rib mediastinum cavity Apex formed
other species directly cranial Extends solely by the
Heart extends Located to the between the left ventricle
from the 3rd to between 3rd/4th Fatty tissues at diaphragm 2nd and 5th rib
7th rib rib to 6th/7th rib the base of the Dorsal and
heart (photo 1) Extends lateral aspects
Variation between the lie in contact
exists Extends from planes of the with the liver,
depending on 2nd intercostal 2nd to 6th the rest are
the breed of to 5th (or from intercostal surrounded by
the dog the 3rd rib) – spaces, respiratory
landmarks placing the elements and
apex directly air sacs
caudal to the
level of the Right atrium –
point of the receives
elbow caudal & a pair
of cranial vena
Variations of cava
the sizes of the
hearts of Left atrium –
horses, those receives
with greater oxygenated
exercise have blood via a
Oscordis – bigger hearts single,
located near common
the junction of pulmonary
the inter- vein
arterial and
interventricular Ventricles –
septa similar to
(singular: mammalian
septum) hearts
-common in *ventricles
cattle but not are one of two
confounded large
-may be found chambers
in other toward the
domestic bottom of the
animals such heart that
as horses collect and
expel blood
Cardiac received from
skeleton an atrium
provides towards the
rigidity – peripheral
prevents beds within the
dilatation of body and lung.
valves and
outflow
Coronary Artery – main blood supply of the heart
-first branch of the aorta in particular of the
ascending aorta
-left & right
VARIATIONS IN THE BRANCHING OF
CORONARY ARTERIES
RightCor.Ar. will give rise to the Subsinousal InterV
Branch
Left Cor.Ar. will give rise to the Paraconal InterV
Branch
pattern is evident in HORSE & PIG
RightCor.Ar. will give rise to the Circumflex Branch
Left Cor.Ar. will give rise to the Paraconal InterV
Branch & Subsinousal InterV Branch
pattern is evident in RUMINANTS & DOG
Aortic Arch – one of the 3 parts of the aorta
Ascending A, AA, Descending A
WHAT ARISES FROM THE AORTIC ARCH
DOGS & PIGS – brachiocephalic trunk
-left subclavian artery
RUMINANT & HORSE – only brachiocephalic trunk,
left subclavian artery arises from
BrachioC trunk
Brachiocephalic trunk – give rise to the Common
Carotid Artery
Common Carotid Artery – will branch into Internal &
External Carotid Arteries
Internal Carotid Artery – give rise to arteries that will
supply blood to the brain
External Carotid Artery – will give rise to arteries
supplying facial structures
left & right Subclavian Arteries – give rise to arteries
that will supply blood to thorax and
thoracic limb
COMPARISON OF THE ORIGIN OF COMMON
CAROTID ARTERY
DOG & CAT – separately
hooved animals (HORSE, RUMINANT, PIG) – from a
short common bicarotid trunk
 BRANCHING OF THE LEFT & RIGHT
SUBCLAVIAN ARTERIES
5 branches:
1. Vertebral A.
2. Costocervical A.
3. Deep cervical A.
4. Superficial cervical A.
5. Internal thoracic A.

In most animals, branching of left and right subclavian arteries are the same (except for horses)
COMPARATIVE ANATOMY

BRANCHING OF THE LEFT & RIGHT SUBCLAVIAN ARTERIES

Dog Ruminants Horse

& Pig

3
1

Photo: schematic illustration of the aortic arch

of dog with emphasis on the branching of the
left subclavian artery

4 direct branches of the left 3 main branches only Complicated branching

subclavian arteries & 1 indirect branch -superficial cervical a. Right Subclavian A.:
-internal thoracic a. -same with the dog, 4 direct branches
Vertebral and Costocervical arteries -costocervical a.
– arise separately Sub-branches: Left Subclavian A.:
-vertebral a. -presents all the 5 branches
-deep cervical a.

Only major arterial system close to the heart shows most variation among species
Variations are seen on peripheral circulation (animals vary in the number of digits)
In general, arterial and venous system are the same for all