Investigation into the Gross and Microscopic Anatomy of the Endotracheal Plexus of Cetaceans
Abstract
Project Summary Title: Investigation into the Gross and Microscopic Anatomy of the Endotracheal Plexus of Cetaceans Principal Investigator: Alexander M. Costidis, Ph.D. Marine Mammal Solutions, LLC. Some cetacean species possess a robust venous plexus just beneath the lining of their main respiratory airway (e.g. trachea). To date, only three publications reference this structure, two of which provide a basic histologic description of the microanatomy at one location of the trachea, while the third makes only mere mention of its presence. These publications account for presence of the plexus in pygmy sperm whales, spotted dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. No information exists about the extent of the plexus along the respiratory tree (e.g. bronchi and bronchioles), about its cross-sectional area or volume, or its presence in other species of cetaceans. Those characteristics can likely have a profound influence on such things as the volume of dead space and the depth of collapse of the airways at depth. The robustness and extent of the plexus may consequently correspond to the type and depth of dives performed by different cetacean species. Therefore, the proposed project will attempt to clarify the gross and microscopic morphology of the submucosal respiratory venous plexus, with the primary goals being: 1) to better understand the extent of the plexus from the trachea into the bronchi and bronchioles, 2) to survey as many respiratory tracts as possible from different cetacean species to verify the presence or absence and qualitative robustness of the plexus, 3) to estimate the percent crosssectional surface area that the plexus can occupy at different levels of the respiratory tree, 4) to better understand the vascular connections between the submucosal plexus and systemic circulation. Project goals will be accomplished through a combination of modern (e.g. computed tomographic angiography) and traditional (e.g. scanning electron microscopy) imaging techniques with traditional anatomic techniques such as corrosion casting and dissection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141713146
Entities
People
- Alexander Costidis
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy