Donkey dental anatomy. Part 1: Gross and computed axial tomography examinations.
Post-mortem examination of 19 donkey skulls showed that donkeys have a greater degree of anisognathia (27% width difference between upper and lower jaws) compared to horses (23%). Teeth (n=108) were collected from 14 skulls and examined grossly and by computed axial tomography (CAT). A greater degree of peripheral enamel infolding was found in mandibular cheek teeth (CT) compared to maxillary CT (P<0.001). A significant increase in peripheral cementum from the apical region to the clinical crown was demonstrated in all CT (P<0.0001). All donkey CT had at least five pulp cavities with six pulp cavities present in the 06s and 11s. A new endodontic numbering system for equid CT has been proposed. A greater occlusal depth of secondary dentine (mm) was present in older donkeys (>16 years) than in the younger (<15 years) donkeys studied. Based on gross and CAT examinations, donkey dental anatomy was shown to be largely similar to that described in horses.
Du Toit
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Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Department of Clinical Science, Midlothian, UK. Nicole.dutoit@ed.ac.uk
Kempson
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SA
Dixon
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PM
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003813:Dentistry / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D018397:Equidae; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*