BRACHIAL PLEXUS IN THE Leopardus geoffroyi

Abstract

Six thoracic limbs from four Leopardus geoffroyi specimens were dissected in order to describe origin and distribution of nerves forming the brachial plexuses. The brachial plexus is a result of connections between ventral branches of the last four cervical nerves (C5, C6, C7 and C8) and the first thoracic nerve (T1). These branches are the origin of the suprascapularis, subscapularis, axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves to the intrinsic musculature, and form the brachiocephalicus, thoracodorsal, lateral thoracic, long thoracic, cranial pectoral and caudal pectoral nerves to the extrinsic musculature. The C7 ventral branch is mainly responsible for formation of nerves (70.5%), followed by C8 (47.4%), C6 (29.5%), T1 (19.2%) and C5 (7.7%). From 78 dissected nerves, 65.4% of nerves resulted from a combination of two or three branches, while only 34.6% of nerves originated from a single branch. Through comparison with other carnivoran species, the origin and innervation area of the Geoffroyi’s Cat brachial plexus were most similar to those of the domestic cat, particularly among those nerves extended to the intrinsic musculature. The results of this study suggest that nerve block techniques currently used in dogs and cats might be efficient in Geoffroyi’s Cat too.

Anatomical description of the origin and distribution of the brachial plexus to the antebrachium in one puma (Puma concolor) (Linnaeus, 1771)

“…We found four nerves in the puma, three have been reported in the cat, but no reports were found in the ocelot or the Geoffroy's cat (Chagas et al, 2014;Nur et al, 2020;Sebastiani & Fishbeck, 2005;Souza Junior et al, 2018). This nerve originates from an interconnection of C6 and C7 in the puma, with an occasional contribution of C8 in the domestic cat (Ghoshal & Magilton, 1972;Reighard & Jennings, 1902).…”

“…The origin of the suprascapular nerve in our puma originated from C6, but in the ocelot it originates from C5 and C6, and in the Geoffroy's cat and the dog from C6 and C7 (Chagas et al, 2014;Dellmann & McClure, 2001;Souza Junior et al, 2018). In the domestic cat it seems even more variable, some authors report its origin is C6, in accordance with our findings, while others report its origin in C5 with an occasional contribution from C6 or C7 (Ghoshal & Magilton, 1972;Nur et al, 2020;Reighard & Jennings, 1902;Roos & Vollmerhaus, 2005;Sebastiani & Fishbeck 2005).…”

“…This nerve originates from an interconnection of C6 and C7 in the puma, with an occasional contribution of C8 in the domestic cat (Ghoshal & Magilton, 1972;Reighard & Jennings, 1902). These nerves innervated the M. subscapularis in the puma, similarly to the ocelot and Geoffroy's cat; however, the second subscapular nerve innervates the M. teres major, and the third subscapular nerve innervates the M. latissimus dorsi in the cat (Ghoshal & Magilton, 1972;Reighard & Jennings, 1902;Sebastiani & Fishbeck, 2005;Souza Junior et al, 2018).…”

“…The distribution of the cranial lateral brachial cutaneous was similar to the pampas fox ( Lycalopex gymnocercus ) and the capybara ( Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris ) (Fioretto et al, 2003; de Souza Junior et al, 2017). However, this nerve has not been described in the puma, the ocelot, the Geoffroy's cat or the domestic cat (Chagas et al, 2014; Ghoshal & Magilton, 1972; Nur et al, 2020; Sanchez et al, 2013; Souza Junior et al, 2018). The connection between the cranial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and the radial nerve was not identified in this specimen.…”

Origin and distribution of the brachial plexus of the Van cats

“…The major nerve trunks of the forelimb are suprascapular, subscapular, axillary, radial, musculocutaneous, median and ulnar. Understanding the neuroanatomy of the brachial plexus is necessary for effective clinical practice (Campoy et al, ; Johnson, Vekris, Demesticha, & Soucacos, ; Skerrit & McLelland, ; Souza Junior, Wronski, Carvalho, & Abidu‐Figueiredo, ).…”