Computed Tomographic Anatomy and Topography of the Lower Respiratory System of the European Pond Turtle (Emys Orbicularis)

Objective- This study was done to give complete topographic information about the position of the lungs and trachea in European pond turtle using Computed Tomography (CT) and usual anatomic methods. Design- Experimental study Animals- 10 female, adult European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) Procedures- All scans were obtained on a two detector scanner. In anatomical study eight turtles were dissected. Two other turtles were sectioned transversely. Results- Our results showed some differences in the tracheal length, position and bifurcation site with that of other species. Moreover the topography of the lungs is described in retracted and protruded neck in this article. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Most of vital systems, lungs and coelomic part of the trachea, are enclosed by the carapace and the plastron so it can not be examined customarily by clinicians. The noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques provide detailed information concerning these organs. The general morphological features of the lower respiratory system of the European pond turtle were examined by CT images and macroscopically in this study. We found some important dissimilarities with other species.