Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István utca 2, Budapest, H-1078, Hungary.
Nyíregyházi Állatpark Nonprofit Kft. (Sosto Zoo), HRSz15010/2, Sóstói út, Nyíregyháza, H-4431, Hungary.
Acta Vet Scand. 2024 Mar 7;66(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s13028-024-00732-2.
The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is close to extinction, listed as "Near Threatened", with a decreasing population on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In at least 50% of the specimens in captivity, podiatric diseases, such as osteitis, osteomyelitis, chip fractures, enthesophytes, fractures and osteoarthritis were found during necropsy. These osteal deformations cause further pathogenic alterations in the soft tissues, particularly in the digital cushion. The literature provides good description of the skeleton of the rhino's limbs, but similar for the vascular system is non-existent. In order to recognize the symptoms in an early state and for a successful surgical treatment, precise knowledge of the vascular anatomy is essential. The purpose of our study was to provide detailed anatomical description of the blood supply of the digits and that of the digital cushion.
The blood supply of the distal foot, digits and digital cushions were perfectly visible on the reconstructed and coloured 3D models. The deep palmar arch provided not only the blood supply to the digits but had a palmaro-distal running branch which developed a trifurcation proximal to the proximal sesamoid bones of the third digit. Two of its branches participated in the blood supply of the digits' proximal palmar surface, while the major branch supplied the digital cushion from proximal direction.
Our findings show a unique blood supply: the main vessels of the digital cushion stem both directly from the deep palmar arch and from the digits' own arteries. The detailed description of vessels may be useful in planning surgery of the region and also in cases where the veins of the ear are not accessible.
白犀牛（Ceratotherium simum）濒临灭绝，被列为“近危”物种，其在国际自然保护联盟濒危物种红色名录中的数量正在减少。在至少 50%的圈养标本中，尸检时发现了足部疾病，如骨炎、骨髓炎、骨裂、骨赘、骨折和骨关节炎。这些骨变形会导致软组织进一步发生病变，特别是在趾垫部位。文献对犀牛四肢的骨骼有很好的描述，但对于血管系统却没有类似的描述。为了在早期识别症状并进行成功的手术治疗，精确了解血管解剖结构是必不可少的。我们的研究目的是提供对指（趾）和趾垫的血管供应的详细解剖描述。
重建和着色的 3D 模型完美地显示了远端足部、指（趾）和趾垫的血液供应。深掌弓不仅为指（趾）提供血液供应，而且还有一个向掌侧和远侧延伸的分支，在第三指的近端籽骨近端形成三分叉。其两个分支参与了指（趾）近掌侧表面的血液供应，而主要分支则从近端方向供应趾垫的血液。
我们的发现显示了一种独特的血液供应：趾垫的主要血管直接来源于深掌弓和指（趾）自身的动脉。对血管的详细描述可能对该区域的手术计划有用，也可用于当耳部静脉不可用时。
