Anatomical description of the head in Ossimi Sheep: Sectional anatomy and Computed Tomographic approach

Abstract

The objective of present investigation was to explore the morphology of the head in Ossimi sheep. Here, the nasal, paranasal sinuses, oral, orbital, cranial, auricular and pharyngeal cavities were examined by the computed tomography images interpreted by the anatomical sections. Also, three-dimensional CT of the head was reconstructed. The Ossimi sheep was shown to possess long, double scroll dorsal and ventral nasal conchae that occupy the nasal cavity rostrally, while its caudal part possessed five small ethmoidal triangular nasal projections, the largest one was the middle nasal concha and the others contained the ethmoidal sinus. The dorsal and middle nasal meatuses were narrow and the ventral meatus was wide and lead directly to the choanae. The nasal septum failed to reach the floor at the caudal part of the nasal cavity thus forming a single channel that continued to the nasopharynx. The vomeronasal organ extended throughout the length of the nasal cavity from the incisive duct caudal to the dental pad to the level of the 3rd upper cheek tooth. The paranasal sinuses identified were the frontal, maxillary, lacrimal, palatine and ethmoidal sinuses. The study recorded the absence of the sphenoid sinus and small palatine sinus in sheep different from that in other ruminants. The obtained results may be useful as a basic anatomical reference for the surgeons and pathologists.