Arterial vascularization of the uropygial glands (Gl. uropygialis) in geese (Anser anser) and ducks (Anas platyrhynches)

In the present study, arterial vascularization of the uropygial glands (Gl. uropygialis) of 10 adult geese (Anser anser) and 10 adult ducks (Anas plat yrhynches) were studied. Takilon was injected into the median coccygeal art eries of six specimens from each species, and Latex (a natural rubber with ammonia) into those of four specimens. Takilon-injected specimens were corr osion casted, acid arteries nourishing the gland were revealed via dissecti on. Vascularization of the uropygial glands of both the goose and the duck was observed to be the right (a. gl. uropygii dextra), left (a, gl. uropygi sinistra) and ventral (a. gl. uropygi ventralis) glandular uropygial arter ies, arising from the median coccygeal (a. coccygea media) artery. Both the right and left glandular uropygial arteries were observed, divided into fo ur branches as follows; muscular ramus (ramus muscularis), medial ramus (ra mus medialis), ventral ramus (ramus ventralis) and lateral ramus (ramus lat eralis). Of these, as the lateral, medial and ventral branches feed the gla nd, the muscular branch provides blood for the lateral coccygeal (m. coccyg ealis lateralis) and levator coccygeal (m. levator coccygealis) muscles, an d the skin. Among the arteries mentioned above, anastomosis between the fir st and the second branches of the right ventral uropygial arteries in the f ive geese and five ducks was found.