Anatomy of the liver of Guinea pig fetuses in late gestation (Cavia porcellus [Linnaeus, 1758])

• Main Authors: Mariangela de Toledo Barbino, Claudia Marinovic Oliveira, Erika Toledo Fonseca, Phelipe de Oliveira Favaron, Márcio Nogueira Rodrigues, Maria Angélica Miglino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 2011-09-01
• Series: Biotemas
• Subjects: Circulation; Fetuses; Guinea pig; Liver
• Online Access: http://www.biotemas.ufsc.br/volumes/pdf/volume243/97a103.pdf

To describe the anatomy of the liver of Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus [Linnaeus, 1758]) fetuses in late gestation and to obtain anatomical characteristics that can support and help the understanding of the physiology of fetal circulation. Three fetuses of Guinea pig in late gestation have been used, which were dissected and had their livers removed. These were analized, described, and photographed macroscopically and microscopically through light microscopy in HE and scanning electronic microscopy. Macroscopically, the fetuses livers have a reddish brown color and their division into lobes is clearly seen, as well as the presence of the gallbladder. The liver is divided into left lateral lobe, left medial lobe, right lateral lobe, right medial lobe, quadrate lobe, and caudate lobe with caudate and papillary processes. Through light microscopy, highly vascularized tissue is observed, and the left portion of the liver receive blood from the placenta through the umbilical vein, and the right portion is irrigated by the portal vein. The structures found on the liver of Guinea pig fetuses in late gestation are anatomically similar to those of other mammalian species.