Corneal endothelium constitutes a monolayer of polygonal cells. The integrity and health of this layer are essential for the maintenance of normal corneal transparency. This study reported by the first time in a detailed RESUMO O endotélio corneal é uma monocamada de células poligonais. A integridade e saúde dessa camada são essenciais para a manutenção da transparência corneal normal. Este estudo reportou pela primeira vez, de forma detalhada, a morfologia ultra-estrutural e a morfometria do endotélio corneal de suínos adultos mestiços à microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV

The knowledge of the anatomy of the brachial plexus in animals is of great importance due to its applicability in clinical, diagnostic and surgical procedures. The objective of the present study was to describe the anatomy of the brachial plexus in the puma. The results demonstrate a broad anatomical similarity with other felines; however, some differences were found. The formation of the brachial plexus in the puma occurred from the ventral interconnections of the last three cervical nerve segments and the first thoracic (C6, C7, C8 and T1). The N. suprascapularis emerges from C6, innervating the M. supraspinatus, the M. infraspinatus, and also the M. cleidobrachialis, the latter by a smaller branch. We found an independent branch emerging from C6 that innervates the M. serratus ventralis cervicis, not reported in other species. The innervation territory of the N. axillary includes the M. cleidobrachialis. The M. teres major was not innervated by the axillary nerve, but by an entirely independent branch that came from C6 and C7, and that also innervated the most caudal part of the M. subscapularis.

Motivated by the current health safety regulations at Universidad de Antioquia, our laboratory changed the animal cadavers preserving solution based on formaldehyde, methanol, glycerin and phenol to a formula based on 85% ethanol, 10% glycerin, and 5% benzalkonium chloride. A total of 33 donated cadavers were preserved with this formula so far: 4 goats, 16 dogs, 3 cats and 10 bovine fetuses. Red and blue latex dyes were injected into the vascular systems. Small cadavers were first injected with latex, followed by muscular and intracavitary injection with the preservation fluid and immersion in 96% ethanol. Large cadavers were vascularly injected, wrapped in plastic bags and vascularly repleted with latex during the next 8 days. Samples were taken for microbiological analysis from 3 cadavers: 1 cadaver wrapped with plastic for 2 months, 1 cadaver immersed for 4 months, and 1 cadaver after 15 days of perfusion. The first way to preserve cadavers was more time-consuming, but it rendered cadavers with a more thorough distribution of latex on small arteries and veins. An enhanced flexibility of joints and tissues promoted an easier dissection process, even of the most distal regions, allowing the movement of tendons along their sheaths. Also, a better color preservation was observed in spite of a darkening after the tissues were exposed to the air. There was no gross evidence of decay from bacterial or fungal growth, and the cultures were negative. The most important advantage of this formula is its lower toxicity and cost.

Wild felids often suffer spinal and limb disorders; however, their nervous system anatomy is poorly studied. Herein, the lumbosacral plexus (Plexus lumbosacralis) of an adult puma and the motor and sensitive innervation of the pelvic limb is described. We found anatomical similarities to other felids, but also some differences. Branches L4‐S3 form the lumbosacral plexus (Plexus lumbosacralis) in the puma. The femoral nerve (N. femoris) arises from the union of L4‐L5, while in other felids, it is formed by L5‐L6. Unlike in the cat, the sartorius muscle receives branches from the saphenous (N. saphenous) and femoral nerves (N. femoris), and the lateral head of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscles are innervated by a branch of the soleus muscle.

Gross anatomy is considered one of the most challenging subjects in teaching veterinary medicine. The use of body painting is reported in teaching surface human anatomy, but such reports are scarce in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to describe a practical session for teaching surface anatomy using body painting with second-semester students of veterinary medicine. Two practical sessions using live animals (equine and bovine) were offered with a focus on the locomotor and nervous systems and splanchnology. Students believed that the body painting sessions helped them to understand the localization of structures, promoting long-term retention and integration of knowledge, and to approach large animals with more self-confidence. Forty-nine students took three short theoretical and practical exams: a pre-test on splanchnology (Q1), an immediate post-test on splanchnology (Q2), and a post-test after 7 weeks on the locomotor and nervous systems (Q3). Correct answers for theoretical Q1 and Q2 were statistically different (2.04 and 3.11 out of 5, respectively; p < .001), and higher scores were found for Q3 compared with Q1 (2.49 and 1.02 out of 5, respectively). The most common error observed in practical Q1 was underestimation of the real size of organs such as lungs, rumen in cattle, and cecum in horses. The results showed that body painting sessions improved learning of anatomical concepts and could serve as a bridge between cadaver anatomy and living animal anatomy. More body painting sessions could be included in other semesters of the veterinary medicine curriculum to better integrate anatomy knowledge.