Microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina): Functional adaptations to swallowing
Abstract Abandoned harbor seal pups ( Phoca vitulina ) are frequently recovered by rehabilitation centers and often require intensive nursing, gavage feeding and swallowing rehabilitation prior to anticipated release. Seal upper aerodigestive tract (UAT) histology descriptions relevant to deglutitio...
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crwiley:10.1002/ar.25025 2024-06-02T08:07:46+00:00 Microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina): Functional adaptations to swallowing Nourbakhsh, Hirad Adams, Arlo Raverty, Stephen Vogl, A. Wayne Haulena, Martin Skoretz, Stacey A. 2022 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.25025 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ar.25025 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ar.25025 en eng Wiley http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor The Anatomical Record volume 306, issue 5, page 947-959 ISSN 1932-8486 1932-8494 journal-article 2022 crwiley https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25025 2024-05-03T10:45:07Z Abstract Abandoned harbor seal pups ( Phoca vitulina ) are frequently recovered by rehabilitation centers and often require intensive nursing, gavage feeding and swallowing rehabilitation prior to anticipated release. Seal upper aerodigestive tract (UAT) histology descriptions relevant to deglutition are limited, impacting advances in rehabilitation practice. Therefore, we examined the histological characteristics of the harbor seal UAT to understand speciesāspecific functional anatomy and characterize adaptations. To this end, we conducted gross dissections, compiled measurements and reviewed histologic features of the UAT structures of 14 preweaned harbor seal pups that died due to natural causes or were humanely euthanized. Representative samples for histologic evaluation included the tongue, salivary glands, epiglottis, and varying levels of the trachea and esophagus. Histologically, there was a prominent muscularis in the tongue with fewer lingual papillae types compared to humans. Abundant submucosal glands were observed in lateral and pharyngeal parts of the tongue and rostral parts of the esophagus. When compared to other mammalian species, there was a disproportionate increase in the amount of striated muscle throughout the length of the esophageal muscularis externa. This may indicate a lesser degree of autonomic control over the esophageal phase of swallowing in harbor seals. Our study represents the first detailed UAT histological descriptions for neonatal harbor seals. Collectively, these findings support specific anatomic and biomechanical adaptations relevant to suckling, prehension, and deglutition. This work will inform rehabilitation practices and guide future studies on swallowing physiology in harbor seals with potential applications to other pinniped and otariid species in rehabilitation settings. Article in Journal/Newspaper harbor seal Phoca vitulina Wiley Online Library The Anatomical Record |
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Open Polar |
collection |
Wiley Online Library |
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crwiley |
language |
English |
description |
Abstract Abandoned harbor seal pups ( Phoca vitulina ) are frequently recovered by rehabilitation centers and often require intensive nursing, gavage feeding and swallowing rehabilitation prior to anticipated release. Seal upper aerodigestive tract (UAT) histology descriptions relevant to deglutition are limited, impacting advances in rehabilitation practice. Therefore, we examined the histological characteristics of the harbor seal UAT to understand speciesāspecific functional anatomy and characterize adaptations. To this end, we conducted gross dissections, compiled measurements and reviewed histologic features of the UAT structures of 14 preweaned harbor seal pups that died due to natural causes or were humanely euthanized. Representative samples for histologic evaluation included the tongue, salivary glands, epiglottis, and varying levels of the trachea and esophagus. Histologically, there was a prominent muscularis in the tongue with fewer lingual papillae types compared to humans. Abundant submucosal glands were observed in lateral and pharyngeal parts of the tongue and rostral parts of the esophagus. When compared to other mammalian species, there was a disproportionate increase in the amount of striated muscle throughout the length of the esophageal muscularis externa. This may indicate a lesser degree of autonomic control over the esophageal phase of swallowing in harbor seals. Our study represents the first detailed UAT histological descriptions for neonatal harbor seals. Collectively, these findings support specific anatomic and biomechanical adaptations relevant to suckling, prehension, and deglutition. This work will inform rehabilitation practices and guide future studies on swallowing physiology in harbor seals with potential applications to other pinniped and otariid species in rehabilitation settings. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Nourbakhsh, Hirad Adams, Arlo Raverty, Stephen Vogl, A. Wayne Haulena, Martin Skoretz, Stacey A. |
spellingShingle |
Nourbakhsh, Hirad Adams, Arlo Raverty, Stephen Vogl, A. Wayne Haulena, Martin Skoretz, Stacey A. Microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina): Functional adaptations to swallowing |
author_facet |
Nourbakhsh, Hirad Adams, Arlo Raverty, Stephen Vogl, A. Wayne Haulena, Martin Skoretz, Stacey A. |
author_sort |
Nourbakhsh, Hirad |
title |
Microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina): Functional adaptations to swallowing |
title_short |
Microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina): Functional adaptations to swallowing |
title_full |
Microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina): Functional adaptations to swallowing |
title_fullStr |
Microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina): Functional adaptations to swallowing |
title_full_unstemmed |
Microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina): Functional adaptations to swallowing |
title_sort |
microscopic anatomy of the upper aerodigestive tract in harbor seals ( phoca vitulina): functional adaptations to swallowing |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2022 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.25025 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ar.25025 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/ar.25025 |
genre |
harbor seal Phoca vitulina |
genre_facet |
harbor seal Phoca vitulina |
op_source |
The Anatomical Record volume 306, issue 5, page 947-959 ISSN 1932-8486 1932-8494 |
op_rights |
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25025 |
container_title |
The Anatomical Record |
_version_ |
1800752886988144640 |