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Ever head of the great Southern Giant Pouched Rat
Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia 2025
Obi Veterinary Education
September 26, 2025
Vumilia J. Kibona, Modesta Makungu
Background
The southern giant pouched rat (Cricetomys ansorgei) is a large rodent native to Africa, used in biomedical applications such as tuberculosis and landmine detection. Despite its increasing use in research and veterinary medicine, detailed knowledge of its thoracic radiologic anatomy is lacking. This study aimed to describe the normal thoracic radiographic anatomy of Cricetomys ansorgei to support anatomical and clinical research.
Methods
A total of 34 adult southern giant pouched rats (20 males, 14 females) were examined using right lateral (RL) and dorsoventral (DV) thoracic radiographs. General anesthesia was induced with ketamine and xylazine. Radiographic evaluations included assessments of the thoracic spine, ribcage, sternum, trachea, lung fields, heart silhouette, and mediastinal structures. Vertebral heart size (VHS), cranial mediastinum width, and thoracic dimensions were measured, and results were compared between sexes.
Results
Most rats had 13 thoracic vertebrae and rib pairs, with 5.9% showing 12 vertebrae. The sternum consisted of six sternebrae, including the xiphoid process. The trachea was visible without mineralized cartilaginous rings, and the carina was located at the third or fourth intercostal space. The vertebral heart size was significantly larger on the DV view (10.59) than on the RL view (9.49). The cranial mediastinum was wider than the spine in all rats. Radiographs frequently showed granular mineral opacities in the cranial abdomen, attributed to ingested sand or gravel.
Limitations
The study was limited to radiographic imaging, without complementary computed tomography or histopathologic confirmation. The animals were anesthetized but not mechanically ventilated, which may have influenced lung inflation and radiographic interpretation. Additionally, intra- and inter-observer variability in radiographic measurements was not assessed.
Conclusions
This study provides the first detailed radiographic reference for the thorax of Cricetomys ansorgei, identifying key anatomical features that distinguish it from other rodents. These findings will aid in veterinary diagnostics, anatomical research, and the medical management of this species. Future studies using advanced imaging modalities, such as computed tomography, are recommended to further characterize thoracic structures.
Right lateral (RL) radiographic view of the thorax of an adult 1.04 kg body weight male southern giant pouched rat demonstratingradiographic measurements. (1) thoracic inlet diameter, (2) thoracic vertebra height, (3) thoracic vertebra length, (4) manubrium stern height, (5)sternebra length, (6) sternebra height, (7) tracheal diameter, (8) third rib width, (9) thoracic depth, (10) caudal vena cava diameter, (11) cardiac sil-houette long axis, (12) cardiac silhouette short axis. Thoracic vertebra four (4), manubrium sterni, and xiphoid process are indicated by (*), MS, andXP, respectively.FIGURE 4 | Dorsoventral (DV) radiographic view of the thorax ofan adult 0.85 kg body weight female southern giant pouched rat demon-strating radiographic measurements. (1) second thoracic vertebrawidth, (2) cranial mediastinum width, (3) cardiac silhouette long axis,(4) cardiac silhouette short axis, (5) thoracic width. L = left.
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