The contribution of the middle cerebral artery and callosal artery to the vascularisation of the Facies convexa of the brain in horses with reference to the equine-specific cartographic pattern of the neopallium.

BACKGROUND

The extremely complex surface architecture of the equine brain does not allow a uniform transfer of anatomical data from other mammalian species, e.g., dog or cat. Rather, a special approach is required to elucidate the equine-specific patterns of cerebral vascular ramifications. Therefore, a novel cartographic system was applied. Prior attention was paid to the A. cerebri media (MCA) and to the A. corporis callosi (CA), as they spread over the widest part of the neopallium's Facies convexa (i.e. the lateral and dorsal surface), thus being of particular interest in terms of surgical treatment of trauma of the skull and brain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The brains of 17 adult warmblood horses were studied. The neopallium's Facies convexa was subdivided into 15 sectors clearly delineated by the primary sulci and by related auxiliary lines. The courses and destinations of main branches (= branches of 1st or 2nd order, with a minimum calibre of 0.75 mm) of MCA and CA were topographically analysed by means of superimposed graphical sketches.

RESULTS

The MCA had six main branches (numbered in rostrocaudal direction); the CA had seven main branches. The main branches of the MCA spread over the widest part of the Facies convexa, but never reached the rostral pole and the caudal pole of the neopallium. Clearly, the main branches of CA proceeded from the hemisphere's medial side across the Margo dorsalis cerebri, thus supplying rostrodorsal and dorsal sectors of the Facies convexa.

CONCLUSIONS

The topographical analysis of the vascular ramification patterns (regions of residence) in combination with the cartographic system of sectors of the neopallium respected the equine-specific surface architecture. It highlighted the distinct vascular supply areas and the particular multiple-supply situations especially in sectors presumably related to the equine area motorica.