VENTRICULAR AND ATRIAL TRIBUTARIES OF THE CORONARY SINUS IN THE OVINE (Ovis aries

Abstract

The ventricular and atrial tributaries of the coronary sinus in the ovine represent basic contribution for the knowledge of the cardiac morphology in the species. In this study, 30 hearts of crossbred adult animals, either males or females, bred and slaughtered in the region of Araçatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil, had been used. After the slaughter of the animals, the joint heart and lungs were collected and brought to the laboratory. After the heart was isolated, a polyethylene cannula was inserted into the ostium of the coronary sinus in the right atrium, and either Neoprene-latex 650 or blue-tained natural latex diluted in water was injected. Following this procedure, the organs were fixed with 10% formaldehyde for no less than 72 hours. A pachymeter was used to measure the coronary sinus and its dissected ventricular and atrial tributaries. The analysis of 30 ovine hearts showed a variation of the length of the coronary sinus, which ranged from 1.9 to 3.2 cm. The amount of ventricular tributaries ranged from 3 to 5 branches, with five branches being more frequently observed. The atrial tributaries ranged from 3 to 8 branches, with either 6 or 7 branches more commonly seen. KEY-WORDS: Heart. Coronary sinus. Ovine