Anatomical Description of Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) and Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) Skull by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Reconstruction and Maximum Intensity Projection Images

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Due to the growing interest in reptiles and the fact that variation in reptile skull anatomy remains poorly documented, we compared the heads of two reptile species using computed tomography reconstructive procedures, such as maximum intensity projections (MIP) and volume rendering (VR). The resulting images demonstrated that these procedures are suitable for performing comparative anatomical studies as they provide adequate information about the different bones that comprise the head while avoiding the overlapping of other structures. A detailed description of the morphology of the head and associated structures could expand the knowledge of clinicians for the diagnosis of traumatic lesions with small or large fractures, skull malformations, and osteodystrophy secondary to nutrition imbalances or neoplasms. ABSTRACT: The growing interest in reptiles has posed a challenge to veterinary clinicians due to the lack of a standardized system to perform anatomical studies similar to those used for dogs and cats. In this paper, we have attempted to describe, employing computed tomography and subsequent three-dimensional reconstructions, the normal anatomical features that comprise the skulls of two species of reptiles: the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Computed tomography (CT) and subsequent image processing allowed the identification of the bony structures that comprise the head of these species. As a result, and based on previous articles, we propose the most significant anatomical differences and similarities between these species.