Welcome to your source of quality news, articles, analysis and latest data.

Some chimpanzees have small bones in the heart

A team of UK researchers have discovered that certain common chimpanzee individuals (Pan troglodytes), particularly those afflicted by myocardial fibrosis, have a unusual small bone called os cordis in their neck.

The existence of an os cordis in broad ruminants such as goats, horse, water buffalos, and sheep is a common discovery. Otters and camels have this bone too, sometimes. But this is the first time they have discovered the os cordis in a great ape.

In the cardiac structure of individuals and certain animal types such as horses, goats, dogs , cats, rodents, rats, snakes, white rhinoceros and Syrian hamsters, cartilage (cartilago cordis) can also be present.

Although the exact position, scale, and number of the os cordis differ, it lies within a band of fibrous tissue called trigonum fibrosum in both animals.

Its role is unknown but it is assumed to serve the heart valves as a pivot and anchoring serve.

“The discovery of a new bone in a new species is a rare event, especially in chimps which have such similar anatomy to people,” said study’s senior author Dr. Catrin Rutland, a researcher in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham.

“It raises the question as to whether some people could have an os cordis too.”

Dr. Rutland and colleagues contrasted the anatomy and physiology of 16 chimpanzee hearts that were either stable or damaged by myocardial fibrosis, a form of cardiac disorder occurring in chimpanzees and humans.

The researchers used X-ray microtomography (microCT), a non-destructive X-ray imaging technique that makes 3D images from 2D trans-axial projections, to study the organs.

They found the bones of os cordis, measuring a few millimeters in size, and the four hearts of cartilago cordis. Their presence was not tied to age or sex.

Dr. Rutland and colleagues contrasted the anatomy and physiology of 16 chimpanzee hearts that were either stable or damaged by myocardial fibrosis, a form of cardiac disorder occurring in chimpanzees and humans.

The researchers used X-ray microtomography (microCT), a non-destructive X-ray imaging technique that makes 3D images from 2D trans-axial projections, to study the organs.

They found the bones of os cordis, measuring a few millimeters in size, and the four hearts of cartilago cordis. Their presence was not tied to age or sex.

Share Post
Written by
No comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.