Anatomical features of ossa cordis in the Steller sea lion

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

article

Miki YOSHIDA¹  Kenjiro MIYOSHI²  Tomohiko TAJIMA¹  Akihiko WADA³  Hiromi UEDA⁴  Takanori KOORIYAMA¹ 

[1] Laboratory of Companion Animal Behavior and Wildlife Ecology, Department of Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University;Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University;Central Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Department, Hokkaido Research Organization;Veterinary Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University

关键词: cardiac skeleton;    cartilago cordis;    ossa cordis;    Steller sea lion;   

DOI  :  10.1292/jvms.21-0261

学科分类：兽医学

来源: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science

【 摘 要 】

Irregular triangular cartilage or bone fragments are sometimes found in the fibrous triangle of the heart. Ossa cordis and/or cartilago cordis has been demonstrated in various terrestrial animal species. Regarding marine mammals, sperm whales lack heart bones, and there have been no studies on bones or cartilage in pinniped hearts. Therefore, we examined the ossa cordis and/or cartilago cordis of the Steller sea lion. Eleven Steller sea lion hearts were examined morphologically and histologically. Before dissection, some hearts were imaged by CT to confirm the presence of ossa cordis or cartilago cordis. As a result, ossa cordis-like fragments were confirmed in four adults and one pup. All of the fragments were found at the right fiber triangle, and one adult had ossified tissue, including adipose tissue in the bone marrow cavity. The ossa cordis probably support the aorta because they surround the aorta as in other terrestrial animals. Steller sea lions can dive to a few hundred meters, but they need to rest on land frequently. Hence, their ossa cordis help maintain heart function during the tachycardia that occurs upon repeated surfacing and movements on land after diving in water.

【 授权许可】

Unknown