Foramen of Panizza
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Latin | |
| Greek | |
| TA98 | |
| TA2 | |
| FMA | |
| Details | |
| System | Circulatory system |
| Artery | |
| Vein | |
| Nerve | |
| Lymphatic drainage | |
| Precursor | |
| Function | |
| Identifiers | |
| Clinical significance | |
| Notes | |
The Foramen of Panizza is a unique anatomical feature found in the hearts of crocodilians, including crocodiles, alligators, and caimans. It is a small opening that connects the left and right aortae as they leave the heart. This foramen is named after the Italian anatomist Bartolomeo Panizza, who first described it.
Function
The Foramen of Panizza plays a crucial role in the circulatory system of crocodilians. It allows for the mixing of oxygenated blood from the left aorta with deoxygenated blood from the right aorta. This mixing is particularly important when the animal is submerged and not breathing air, as it helps to optimize the use of available oxygen.
During diving, the Foramen of Panizza enables the right-to-left shunt, which directs more blood to the systemic circulation and less to the pulmonary circulation. This adaptation is beneficial for conserving oxygen and maintaining efficient circulation while the animal is underwater.
Anatomical Details
The Foramen of Panizza is located at the base of the heart, between the left and right aortae. It is a small, valve-like structure that can open and close to regulate the flow of blood between the two aortae. This regulation is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which adjusts the blood flow based on the animal's activity and environmental conditions.
Evolutionary Significance
The presence of the Foramen of Panizza is considered an evolutionary adaptation that allows crocodilians to thrive in aquatic environments. It is a key feature that distinguishes their cardiovascular system from that of other reptiles and vertebrates.
See Also
References
- Panizza, B. (1833). Osservazioni sul cuore e sulla circolazione del sangue in alcuni animali vertebrati.
- Grigg, G., & Gans, C. (1993). Morphology and Physiology of the Crocodilian Cardiovascular System.
Ad. Transform your health with W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa
Tired of being overweight?
Special offer:
Budget GLP-1 weight loss medications
- Semaglutide starting from $29.99/week and up with insurance for visit of $59.99 and up per week self pay.
- Tirzepatide starting from $45.00/week and up (dose dependent) or $69.99/week and up self pay
✔ Same-week appointments, evenings & weekends
Learn more:
- GLP-1 weight loss clinic NYC
- W8MD's NYC medical weight loss
- W8MD Philadelphia GLP-1 shots
- Philadelphia GLP-1 injections
- Affordable GLP-1 shots NYC
|
WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
