Variations in the Venous Systems of Mammals

Barnett, C. H.; Harrison, R. J.; Tomlinson, Joanna

doi:10.1111/j.1469-185x.1958.tb01411.x

Cited by 58 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 162 publications

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“…As far as we know, humans are the only terrestrial mammals that have a significant posterior IVVP. In the dog, cat, pig, and sheep the posterior IVVP is not present (Barnett et al, 1958;Zippel et al, 2001), but in several aquatic mammals (e.g., seal, walrus, dolphin), birds, and crocodilians, a prominent posterior part of the IVVP has been observed (Barnett et al, 1958;Zippel et al, 2001). It might be that the development of the caudal posterior part of the IVVP occurs late; perhaps in the last trimester of intra-uterine life or after birth.…”

Section: Morphological Findingsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Morphology of the human internal vertebral venous plexus: A cadaver study after latex injection in the 21-25-week fetus

et al. 2005

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The morphology of the anterior and posterior internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) in human fetuses between 21-25 weeks of gestational age is described. The results are compared to the findings of a previous morphological study of the IVVP in the aged. The morphological pattern of the anterior IVVP in the fetus is very similar with the anterior IVVP in the aged human. In contrast, the posterior IVVP in the fetus lacks the prominent transverse bridging veins that are present in the aged lower thoracic and the lumbar posterior IVVP. The background of these morphological differences is unclear. Maybe the thoracolumbar part of the posterior IVVP is subject to "developmental delay," or the observed differences in the aged may result from functional and age-related factors that trigger this part of the vertebral venous system during (erect) life. The observed age related morphological differences of the posterior IVVP support the concept of the venous origin of the spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH).

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Section: Morphological Findingsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Morphology of the human internal vertebral venous plexus: A cadaver study after latex injection in the 21-25-week fetus

et al. 2005

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“…Therefore, if shifting blood volumes offers a useful method of adjusting thoracic pressures, there needs be a reservoir of adequate volume that can rapidly adjust with depth, either passively or actively. Several vascular reservoirs in diving mammals have been identified for possible volume replacement: the aortic arch (Shadwick and Gosline, 1994), the thoracic rete (Barnett et al, 1958;Mcfarland et al, 1979;Walmsley, 1938), the tracheal rete (Cozzi et al, 2005) and venous structures within the thorax or associated with air-containing structures (Costidis and Rommel, 2012;Cozzi et al, 2005;Falke et al, 2008;Ninomiya et al, 2005).…”

Section: Model Predictions Of Thoracic Pressurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…We included arteries from the thoracic rete -a massive plexus of anastomosing arteries that occupies the extrapleural space along the dorsal thoracic wall. It has been hypothesized that these arteries engorge with blood at depth, providing a volume capacitance that offsets air volume loss from lung collapse and helps equilibrate pressures inside and outside the thorax (Barnett et al, 1958;Walmsley, 1938). We have excluded craniospinal arteries, which are encased in bone and so are not directly exposed to ambient pressures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiovascular design in fin whales: high-stiffness arteries protect against adverse pressure gradients at depth

Lillie

Piscitelli

Vogl

et al. 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYFin whales have an incompliant aorta, which, we hypothesize, represents an adaptation to large, depth-induced variations in arterial transmural pressures. We hypothesize these variations arise from a limited ability of tissues to respond to rapid changes in ambient ocean pressures during a dive. We tested this hypothesis by measuring arterial mechanics experimentally and modelling arterial transmural pressures mathematically. The mechanical properties of mammalian arteries reflect the physiological loads they experience, so we examined a wide range of fin whale arteries. All arteries had abundant adventitial collagen that was usually recruited at very low stretches and inflation pressures (2-3kPa), making arterial diameter largely independent of transmural pressure. Arteries withstood significant negative transmural pressures (−7 to −50kPa) before collapsing. Collapse was resisted by recruitment of adventitial collagen at very low stretches. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis of depth-induced variation of arterial transmural pressure. Because transmural pressures depend on thoracic pressures, we modelled the thorax of a diving fin whale to assess the likelihood of significant variation in transmural pressures. The model predicted that deformation of the thorax body wall and diaphragm could not always equalize thoracic and ambient pressures because of asymmetrical conditions on dive descent and ascent. Redistribution of blood could partially compensate for asymmetrical conditions, but inertial and viscoelastic lag necessarily limits tissue response rates. Without pressure equilibrium, particularly when ambient pressures change rapidly, internal pressure gradients will develop and expose arteries to transient pressure fluctuations, but with minimal hemodynamic consequence due to their low compliance.

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“…Plexiform spinal veins have been documented previously only in mammals (Batson, 1957;Barnett et al, 1958). The anatomy of this peculiar vascular arrangement, typically referred to as the vertebral venous plexus, has been thoroughly described in certain mammals (reviews in Worthman, 1956a;Batson, 1957;Barnett et al, 1958;Harris, 1964;Groen et al, 1997).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The anatomy of this peculiar vascular arrangement, typically referred to as the vertebral venous plexus, has been thoroughly described in certain mammals (reviews in Worthman, 1956a;Batson, 1957;Barnett et al, 1958;Harris, 1964;Groen et al, 1997). In humans, the plexus originates anteriorly from the inferior petrosal and ventral occipital dural sinuses forming several valveless, longitudinal venous chains spanning the length of the vertebral column, extradurally, intraosseously, and paravertebrally (Bowsher, 1954;Batson, 1957).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

New vascular system in reptiles: Anatomy and postural hemodynamics of the vertebral venous plexus in snakes

Zippel

Lillywhite

Mladinich

2001

Journal of Morphology

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Using corrosion casting, we demonstrate and describe a new vascular system--the vertebral venous plexus--in eight snake species representing three families. The plexus consists of a network of spinal veins coursing within and around the vertebral column and was previously documented only in mammals. The spinal veins of snakes originate anteriorly from the posterior cerebral veins and form a lozenge-shaped plexus that extends to the tip of the tail. Numerous anastomoses connect the plexus with the caval and portal veins along the length of the vertebral column. We also reveal a posture-induced differential flow between the plexus and the jugular veins in two snake species with arboreal proclivities. When these snakes are horizontal, the jugulars are observed fluoroscopically to be the primary route for cephalic drainage and the plexus is inactive. However, head-up tilting induces partial jugular collapse and shunting of cephalic efflux into the plexus. This postural discrepancy is caused by structural differences in the two venous systems. The compliant jugular veins are incapable of sustaining the negative intraluminal pressures induced by upright posture. The plexus, however, with the structural support of the surrounding bone, remains patent and provides a low-pressure route for venous return. Interactions with the cerebrospinal fluid both allow and enhance the role of the plexus, driving perfusion and compensating for a posture-induced drop in arterial pressure. The vertebral venous plexus is thus an important and overlooked element in the maintenance of cerebral blood supply in climbing snakes and other upright animals.

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Variations in the Venous Systems of Mammals

Cited by 58 publications

References 162 publications

Morphology of the human internal vertebral venous plexus: A cadaver study after latex injection in the 21-25-week fetus

Morphology of the human internal vertebral venous plexus: A cadaver study after latex injection in the 21-25-week fetus

Cardiovascular design in fin whales: high-stiffness arteries protect against adverse pressure gradients at depth

New vascular system in reptiles: Anatomy and postural hemodynamics of the vertebral venous plexus in snakes

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