Computed Tomography and 3D Reconstruction of the Respiratory Organs of the Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni)

Abstract

This study is designed to identify, describe and illustrate the topography of the respiratory organs of the Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) using a digital camera and computed tomography. This may aid in obtaining complete data on dissection procedures, the topography and the initial section outlines and the safety of access during surgical procedures. The core of the present study is a series of photographs showing stages of the dissection. A detailed description of the dissection method and anatomy of the exposed organs are also given. Thirteen wild adult live tortoises, Testudo kleinmanni, (three males and ten females) were collected from Marsa Matroh and Cairo governorates with an age ranging from 15-19 years, weight between 430–450 gm, and carapace, and plastron lengths 10.5-11cm and 9.5-9.8 cm respectively. Computed tomography provides detailed information on the respiratory system, the location of the coelomic structures with respect to the carapace (the upper shell) and the vertebrae, and allows a comparison of cross-sectional anatomic views obtained with the digital camera with images obtained via computed tomography sections of the coelomic structures.