FIG. 16 in Transverse Canal Foramen And Pericarotid Venous Network In Metatheria And Other Mammals

FIG. 16. Dromiciops gliroides ZIUT HL 19 mm (Microbiotheriidae, Microbiotheria), juvenile specimen, stained coronal sections in rostrocaudal order. Effects of shrinkage during histological processing obvious (e.g., size of maxillary nerve relative to its sulcus) A, Presphenoid-basisphenoid synchondrosis, large pterygopalatine fissure provides passage for nerve of pterygoid canal (asterisk) (s. 25.02.02). B, Veins of rostral branches of transverse canals form confluent, with canals largely incorporated into rostral portion of transverse basicranial sinus. Cells within sinus nondiagnosable but probably erythroid (s. 28.03.01; cf. fig. 33A). C, Rostral branches of transverse canals present and large (s. 29.01.03). D, Entrance to carotid canal (double-headed arrow) (s. 30.04.01). E, Anastomosis of internal carotid vein with basicranial venous plexus (s. 31.01.01). F, Same anastomosis in closeup, typical plexiform arrangement (s. 31.03.02). Key: AS, alisphenoid; astp, tympanic process of alisphenoid; at, auditory tube; BS, basisphenoid; bvp, basicranial venous plexus; cc, carotid canal; cs, cavernous sinus; EC, ectotympanic; ejv, external jugular vein; encg, endocranial carotid groove; hp, hypophysis; ica, internal carotid artery; icv, internal carotid vein; junc + con, junction containing confluence; lpn, lesser petrosal nerve; mxn, maxillary nerve; nph, nasopharynx; oa, ophthalmic artery; on, ophthalmic nerve;