Hepatic artery of pigs: topography, analysis of age dynamics. Legal regulation in veterinary medicine

This work is devoted to the analysis of the anatomical course, branching and age dynamics of the main arteries supplying the stomach of pigs in order to identify patterns of their growth and assess their functional significance. Knowledge of the anatomy of the vascular bed, in particular the arterial system, is a fundamental basis for the development of both veterinary medicine and animal husbandry. The aim of the study was to study the topography of the hepatic artery as a source of blood supply to the stomach in Yorkshire pigs, as well as to analyze age dynamics. The study was conducted at the Department of Animal Anatomy of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education in St. Petersburg in three age groups: one-day-old newborns; 10-14-day-old; 28-30-day-old pigs. To achieve this goal, traditional morphological research methods were used, namely: fine anatomical dissection, photographing, vasorentgenography with morphometry in the RadiAnt program. The analysis demonstrates that the arterial system of the stomach of pigs is a complex but logically organized structure originating from the hepatic artery. Its development in early postnatal ontogenesis is intensive and proactive, which is directly related to the functional load on the organ and the overall growth rate of the body. The most significant increase in the diameter of the main vessels (the right gastric and right gastro-omentum arteries) is observed by the end of the first month of life, as the digestive system prepares for the transition to an adult type of diet. Deep knowledge of anatomical and morphometric features is an indispensable tool for improving the efficiency of veterinary care, optimizing maintenance technologies and, ultimately, ensuring the health and productivity of pigs.