Anatomical study of the internal carotid artery of the aulacode (Thryonomys swindérianus, Temminck 1827)

Abstract

The arterial circle at the base of the skull appears to be supplied only by the vertebrobasilar system. The anatomy of the internal carotid artery is not  known. The aim of this study was to contribute to a better understanding of the anatomy of the arterial system of the aulacode. A total of twelve (12)  carotid arteries from six (6) grasscutters were injected with neoprene latex to study the origin, path, termination, collateral branches and brain irrigation  areas of the. internal carotid artery. Originating from the common carotid artery, the internal carotid arteries, right and left, flowed forward and out to  reach the lateral surfaces of the trachea. In the cervical region, they emitted three collateral branches, the posterior laryngeal artery, the artery of the  neck muscles, and the encephalic artery. These different arteries supplied the larynx, neck and brain, respectively. The encephalic arteries were either  single or double. The arteries of the neck muscles were dividing at their endings or not. The observation of the latex in the brain reflects the participation  of the internal carotid artery in the vascularization of the brain, or at least of anastomoses between its branches and those of the external carotid artery  or the vertebro-basilar system.