A Descriptive Morphometric Approach of the Skull and Mandible of the Common Opossum (Didelphis Marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758) in the Caribbean and its Clinical Application during Regional Anaesthesia.

Reda Mohamed

doi:10.3390/vetsci5010029

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the morphometric values of the skull and the mandible of the common opossum from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. The skulls and mandibles were obtained from ten opossums captured for research purposes. The skulls and mandibles were prepared and cleaned using standard method. Some anatomical landmarks of the skulls and mandibles were identified and measured. The results were important for identification of the common opossum via comparison and discussion of our results with that of other marsupial species. Furthermore, the results had clinical importance with regard to regional nerve blocks of the infraorbital, inferior alveolar, and mental nerves for dental extraction and head surgery. This study concluded that by using the anatomical landmarks of the infraorbital and mental foramina it will be easier for the veterinarian surgeons during the application of local anesthetic agent for the infraorbital, inferior alveolar, and mental nerve blocks.

Highlights

The genus Didelphis has six species of marsupials that are found only in the Americas, which are Didelphis marsupialis, Didelphis aurita, Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis pernigra, Didelphis virginiana, and Didelphis imperfecta
The anatomical measurements were important for identification of the common opossum species and clinically for regional nerve blocks of infraorbital, mandibular alveolar, and mental nerves
There were many morphometric studies were published in marsupial species but there were no morphometric studies on the skull of the common opossum from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago

Summary

Introduction

The genus Didelphis has six species of marsupials that are found only in the Americas, which are Didelphis marsupialis, Didelphis aurita, Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis pernigra, Didelphis virginiana, and Didelphis imperfecta. Due the demand of this type of meat, some people in Trinidad started to rear this animal for met production. This will lead to the need for veterinary care in the near future. The aim of this study was to give a detailed morphometric description of the bones of the skull and mandible of the common opossum from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, which could be used to identify the species and in clinical application during regional anaesthesia in the head

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion