Normal nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in brown lemurs Eulemur fulvus: computed tomography and cross-sectional anatomy

• Published in: Journal of medical primatology 2012-08, Vol.41 (4), p.256-265
• Main Authors: Mogicato, Giovanni, Raharison, Fidiniaina, Ravakarivelo, Monique, Sautet, Jean
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anatomy; Animals; computed tomography; Eulemur fulvus; Female; Lemur - anatomy & histology; Male; nasal cavity; Nasal Cavity - anatomy & histology; Nasal Cavity - diagnostic imaging; paranasal sinuses; Paranasal Sinuses - anatomy & histology; Paranasal Sinuses - diagnostic imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0047-2565; 1600-0684
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2012.00546.x

Background  Far less is known about the normal anatomy of the nasal cavity of Eulemur fulvus; no computed tomography (CT) scan has ever been published. Methods  Relevant CT scans were taken in the transverse, dorsal and longitudinal planes. These scans were compared with anatomical sections of heads. Results  Computed tomography scans revealed almost all nasal structures, but cannot differentiate between the various layers of the nasal mucosa. Results show a double‐scroll arrangement of the ventral nasal concha. The dorsal nasal concha protrudes into the maxillary sinus, but no protrusion into the frontal sinus was observed. The ethmoturbinate I is completely closed back on itself and rostrally voluminous. Conclusions  This work shows that at a clinical level, the integrity of the different turbinates can easily be appreciated from a simple CT scan. It will assist clinicians to evaluate pathological conditions that affect the nasal region.