title: Importance Rat Liver Morphology and Vasculature in Surgical Research.
abstract: BACKGROUND The laboratory rat is one of the most popular experimental models for the experimental surgery of the liver. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphometric parameters, physiological data, differences in configuration of liver lobes, biliary system, and vasculature (arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels) of the liver in laboratory rats. In addition, this study supports the anatomic literature and identified similarities and differences with human and other mammals. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty laboratory rats were dissected to prepare corrosion casts of vascular system specimens (n=20), determine the lymph vessels and lymph nodes (n=10), and for macroscopic anatomical dissection (n=10) of the rat liver. The results are listed in percentages. The anatomical nomenclature of the liver morphology, its arteries, veins, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels are in accordance with Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria. RESULTS We found many variations in origin, direction, and division of the arterial, venous, and lymphatic systems in rat livers, and found differences in morphometric parameters compared to results reported by other authors. The portal vein was formed by 4 tributaries in 23%, by 3 branches in 64%, and by 2 tributaries in 13%. The liver lymph was drained to the 2 different lymph nodes. The nomenclature and morphological characteristics of the rat liver vary among authors. CONCLUSIONS Our results may be useful for the planing of experimental surgery and for cooperation with other investigation methods to help fight liver diseases in human populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Katarína
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vdoviaková
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Katarína
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vdoviaková
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petrovová
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Lenka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krešáková
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maloveská
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teleky
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology and Maxilofacial Surgery, Pavol Jozef Šafarik University, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Janka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jenčová
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Živčák
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology and Maxilofacial Surgery, Pavol Jozef Šafarik University, Kosice, Slovakia.
authors.forename: Andrej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jenča
mesh_terms: D000717:Anatomy, Comparative; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats