Survey anatomy and histological observation of the nasal cavity of Tupaia belangeri chinensis (Tupaiidae, Scandentia, Mammalia)

This study aimed to provide researchers with an atlas of the survey anatomy, histology, and imaging of the nasal cavity of Tupaia belangeri chinensis. Seven T. b. chinensis adult males were euthanized and scanned using micro-computed tomography (CT). The nose was separated, and tissue sections were made on the coronal and axial planes to observe the survey anatomy and histological and imaging characteristics of the nose. T. b. chinensis contains one maxilloturbinal and three ethmoturbinals, one nasoturbinal, one interturbinal, two frontoturbinals, and one lamina semicircularis in the unilateral nasal cavity. Other identified structures were the ostiomeatal complex, vomeronasal organ, superior nasal vault, maxillary sinus, and frontal recess. The drainage pathways of the sinuses and nasal airflow in T. b. chinensis were confirmed. The vault epithelium consisted of the squamous epithelium, respiratory epithelium, transitional epithelium, and olfactory epithelium. Micro-CT confirmed our findings of the coronal tissue sections. The nasal cavity anatomy of T. b. chinensis is similar to that of some strepsirrhine primates. However, the airflow and olfactory function are quite different from that of humans. Our gross and histological atlas of the nasal septum, turbinals, maxillary sinus, and frontal recess provides a reference for researchers to use T. b. chinensis for nasal cavity functional research.

Automated summary

This study provides an atlas of the nasal cavity anatomy, histology, and imaging of Tupaia belangeri chinensis, offering insights into its unique anatomical and physiological features compared to humans. The findings confirm the presence of specific structures and airflow pathways in the investigated species, highlighting its potential as a model for nasal cavity functional research.