Cerebral Vascularization and the Remaining Area Supply of the Internal Carotid Artery Derivatives of the Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) is the largest marsupial native to Australia. Its detailed vascular anatomy has not been researched before. Anatomical studies on such species may contribute as a base for physiological studies as well as serve veterinarians in developing diagnostic and treatment protocols for kangaroos in zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers. In this study, we describe the detailed course of arteries supplying blood to the brain and nearby regions. ABSTRACT: The red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) is a member of Macropidideae superfamily. It is one of the four kangaroo species living nowadays, and it is the biggest one. It is native to Australia, where it is an abundant species living across the whole continent in stable populations. Outside its natural habit, the red kangaroo is a common species found in zoos and as patients in wildlife rehabilitation centers. Reports on kangaroo anatomy are scarce. Describing detailed anatomy is a base for establishing diagnostic and treatment protocols for different species of animals. Cardiovascular diseases and pathological changes suggestive of hypertension have been previously described in kangaroos. This creates a necessity for detailed studies on species’ vascular anatomy. New reports in the field of detailed vascular anatomy can bring considerable information that complements numerous studies on the evolution or biology of individual species. In this article, we describe the arterial vascularization of the brain and nearby regions of the cranial cavity using various anatomical techniques. The vascularization of the brain is discussed and compared with different mammalian species.