The carotid sinus in lizards with an anatomical survey of the ventral neck region.

Abstract

AbstractThe anatomy of the ventral neck region of the scincid lizards Chalcides ocellatus and Scincus scincus is presented and is found to be similar to that of other lizards as described in the literature. The internal carotid artery arises by 3‐5 roots from the dorsal side of the ascending limb of the carotid arch. During its first part, the internal carotid artery is completely divided into two nearly equal channels. The carotid sinus is more complicated in Chalcides than in Scincus. In lizards, it may be homologous to the carotid labyrinth of fishes and amphibians. Around the origin of the internal carotid artery are two kinds of epithelioid cells scattered in the adventitial connective tissue: a‐ large cells with rounded, faintly stained nuclei, and little, clear cytoplasm; b‐ cells with small darkly stained nuclei. Both kinds of cells appear to represent different levels of secretory activity. The number of the large cells increases with greater complexity of the carotid sinus. The cells also increase in size and number during summer (sexual period); this is especially true in younger animals. The epithelioid cells are considered to be homologous to the carotid body of higher vertebrates. The carotid sinus and epithelioid cells together form a closely interrelated system which may be intermediate between the carotid labyrinth of fishes and amphibians, and the carotid body of birds and mammals.