Comparative Topographic Anatomy of Air Sacks of Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) and Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) in Inhalation Anesthesia and Mechanical Ventilation.
Diverticulum, Breathing, Sacci Pneumatici, Birds of Prey.
Birds of prey have morphological characteristics adapted to the predatory habit, such as a curved beak, sharp claws and vision developed for hunting. However, literature data are scarse on the morphology of birds in this group, which hinders the role of veterinarians in terms of clinical and surgical approaches to these individuals. Thus, we chose Chondrohierax uncinatus and Rupornis magnirostris as research targets regarding the radiographic anatomy of their air sacs, given the importance of these structures in the respiratory maintenance of birds in general in the therapeutic context. To date, seven adults Rupornis magnirostris were analyzed, whose air sacs were perfused via the trachea with contrasted latex, followed by radiographic follow-up. For a total of nine air sacs, these were arranged as follows: two cervical air sacs; a single clavicular air sac; two cranial thoracic air sacs, two caudal thoracic air sacs, bilaterally equivalent; and two abdominal air sacs, arranged asymmetrically. The humerus and femur bones were completely filled by intraosseous humeral and femoral diverticulum, respectively.