Ultrasound Anatomical Visualization of the Rabbit Liver

Abstract

The topic was to investigate the anatomical features of the rabbit liver by two- and three-dimensional ultrasonography. Eighteen sexually mature healthy clinically New Zealand rabbits aged eight months were studied. Two-dimensional ultarsonographic anatomical image of the rabbit liver presented it in the cranial abdominal region as a relatively hypoechoic finding. Its contours were regular and in close contact with the hyperechoic diaphragm. Liver parenchyma was heterogeneous. The gall bladder was visualized as an oval soft tissue structure, filled with anechoic content. Its walls were hypoechoic. Two-dimensional ultarsonographic anatomical image of left hepatic lobe was sharply distinguished to right hepatic lobe’s outlines. In three–dimensional ultrasonogarphic anatomical study, the organ image was in three orthogonal planes. Its relief was regular and uninterrupted. Left hepatic lobe was found on the left and the right hepatic lobe was a soft tissue point for gall bladder position. Left and lateral was left lateral hepatic lobe. It was covered partly by left medial hepatic lobe. The right hepatic lobe was visualized as a single structure. The gall bladder was an oval finding. Its walls were hyperechoic and regular, without roughness. The results could be used as a base for modern interpretation of rabbit liver anatomy.