The pole shark (Prionace glauca, Linnaeus 1758) is a common, pelagian condrichtyan.MaterialThe entire, rostral extremity (28,4cm long) of an adult specimen was CT‐scanned all along the rostro‐caudal axis, in axial cross‐sections and reconstructed in the two other planes and in 3‐dimensional ones. The CT‐scan apparatus was a Siemens somatom, whole‐body apparatus with 64 detectors.MethodsThe frozen shark's head was laid in prone position on the radiological table. It was CT‐scanned with an acquisition (100kV, 18mAs) in the axial plane. The frontal cross‐sections (every 0,8 mm, 1 m thick) were joined. Two different penetrations were used: B30 for the soft parts and B70 for the hard parts (cartilage and extra‐skeleton).Results355 frontal cross‐sections were obtained from the native, axial acquisition. 100 para‐sagittal cross‐sections were reconstructed from the preceeding ones and 100 horizontal ones as well. 16, 3D reconstructions were realized with several, different incidences and penetrations.ConclusionThe seriated CT‐scan and the reconstructions gave numerous morphological elements in Prionace glauca, as well as in the study of their relationships. The muscular masses presented very few differenciation. The cartilaginous structures were well vizualized, as the eye and the central nervous system, the teeth were particularly easy to study, on the reconstructions, noticeably the successive raws in the inferior jaw.We thanks the “Le Venec” Company for the delivery of the animal material and Mr Lionel Feuillassier (Marinarium, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle), both in the town of Concarneau (Brittany, France).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

The european lobster is a large, common, marine, crustacean decapod.MaterialAn entire animal was acquired still alive and deeply frozen in extension of the abdomen. It was 26,5 cm long; 7 cm width at its maximal dimension of the cephalo‐thorax. The CT‐scan apparatus was a Siemens somatom sensitive, whole body apparatus with 128 stellar detectors.MethodsThe entire animal was CT‐scanned all along the rostro‐caudal axis, in axial cross‐sections and reconstructed in the two other planes (horizontal and para‐sagittal) and in 3‐ dimensional ones. The frozen lobster was laid in prone position on the radiological table. It was CT‐scanned with an acquisition (100 kV, 18 mAs) in the axial plane: the axial cross‐sections (every 0,8 mm, 1 mm thick) were joined, and frontal. Two different penetrations were used: B30 for the soft parts and B70 for the hard parts (cartilage and extra‐skeleton).Results500 frontal cross‐sections were obtained from the native axial acquisition. 120 para‐sagittal cross‐sections were reconstructed from the preceding ones, and 80 horizontal ones as well. 11, 3D reconstructions were realized with several incidences: superior, inferior, rostral, caudal, postero‐superior, antero‐inferior, antero‐lateral and superior (right and left), lateral (right and left), median sagittal.ConclusionThe seriated CT‐scan and the reconstructions afforded very numerous morphological elements in Homarus gammarus, and also in the study of their relationships. The muscular masses presented very few differenciation. The rare cartilaginous structures were well vizualized. A voluminous aerial poach at the upper and rostral part of the cephalo‐thorax corresponded to the two parts of the stomach: cardial (rostral) and pyloric (caudal) ones. The reconstructions were very contributive.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Le requin peau bleue (Prionace glauca) est une espèce de chondrichtyen, pélagique, commune sur les côtes atlantiques européennes. L’extrémité rostrale, entière (28,4 cm de longueur) d’un spécimen adulte a été scannographiée dans le sens rostro-caudal en coupes axiales, sériées et reconstruit. Le scanner était un Siemens somatom, corps entier, à 64 barrettes. La tête du requin (congelée à l’état frais) était posée à plat sur la table d’examen. Elle a été scannographiée avec acquisition axiales : 355 coupes jointives (de 1 mm, tous les 0,8 mm ; 100 kV, 18 mAs). Deux pénétrations différentes étaient utilisées : B30 pour les parties molles et B70 pour les parties dures (cartilage). Des coupes sagittales (100) ont été reconstruites à partir des précédentes, ainsi que des coupes horizontales (100). Seize reconstructions 3-D ont été obtenues sous diverses incidences et pénétrations. Le scanner sérié et les reconstructions apportaient de très nombreux éléments morphologiques dans Prionace glauca, ainsi que dans l’étude de leurs rapports. Les masses musculaires présentaient peu de différenciation. Les structures cartilagineuses étaient bien mises en évidence, de même que l’œil, les cavités narinaires et le système nerveux central ; les dents étaient particulièrement faciles à étudier sur les reconstructions, en particulier les rangées successives de la mâchoire inférieure. Le scanner est une méthode morphologique incontournable pour les études dans l’animal : la sériation systématique et les reconstructions dans les deux autre plans et 3D l’ont confirmé dans Prionace glauca. Nous remercions les établissements Le Venec pour la fourniture du matériel animal et M. Lionel Feuillasier du Marinarium ; à Concarneau.

Un œuf d’Aepornyx reconstitué en entier à partir de nombreux fragments a été scannographié de manière sériée, en coupes perpendiculaires au grand axe longitudinal. Il mesurait 32,5 cm de haut et 22,5 cm de diamètre maximal (à 11,5 cm de la base). Il pesait 1919 g. À partir des coupes natives, des reconstructions ont été pratiquées, mettant en évidence l’aspect de surface de l’intérieur de la coquille où les fragments étaient plus disjoints qu’à l’extérieur. L’épaisseur de tous les fragments était de 5 mm, homogène. La densité de la coquille était de 2000 UH soit un calcaire très dense. Le rayon de courbure du fragment le plus important comme l’épaisseur éliminaient une reconstitution à partir d’un autre animal que l’Aepornyx. L’examen scannographique et les reconstructions ont donc permis d’authentifier cet œuf d’une espèce disparue à Madagascar il y a plusieurs siècles, d’en assurer l’authenticité comme la provenance des fragments à partir d’un même œuf.

Material an egg in Aepornys (Madagascar, an extinct species) was 32,5 cm high, 22,5 cm wide, and 77,5cm in its largest, horizontal circumference. It weighed 1919 g and presented numerous, secondarily grossly stucked, natural fragments. The CT‐scan apparatus was a Siemens somatom sensitive one with 64 detectors. Method the egg was firstly CT‐scanned (thickness of about 1mm with jointed cross‐sections) all along its greatest axis. It was then reconstructed from the native sections in the two other planes. At last, external and internal surfaces' reconstruction were performed. Results the egg was totally empty with an homogeneous (near 1 cm) thickness and a good congruence of the fragments which largest ones had a curvature impossible to be given by an oystrich's egg (which shell is far more thinner); the radiological density of the shell was very high. Conclusion the CT‐scan proved that this reconstructed shell of a bird's egg was a very thick and dense, natural, real one which was reconstituted from an unique sample. It proved that it was really an Aepornys one. This species limited to the Madagascar Island disappeared five centuries ago. It exists written, european, historical testimonies which prove the existence of these enormous (500 kilograms) non flighting birds.

Une tete osseuse de Crocodylus niloticus a ete scannographiee le long de son axe longitudinal puis reconstruite dans les deux autres plans orthogonaux. Le scanner etait un appareil Siemens somatom sensitive a 64 barrettes. Le specimen provenait de Madagascar, animal d’elevage avec certificat de conformite a la convention de Washington (Maison Deyrolles, 46 rue du Bac a Paris, 7 e ). Il mesurait 217 mm de long, 98 mm de large et 64 mm de haut. L’acquisition a ete faite en coupes de 0,75 mm d’epaisseur tous 0,5 mm soient 465 images. Les reconstructions dans les plans axial, frontal et sagittal comme les reconstructions 3D ont permis l’analyse morphologique, architecturale et l’etude des rapports osseux du crâne et de la mandibule en connexion.

A dry cranium with its mandible in a Crocodylus niloticus from Madagascar was laid on the table of a CT‐scan apparatus : a Somatom sensitive, Siemens one with 64 detectors. It was an authorized sample from a crocodyle farm with a number of registration. It was 215 mm long, The acquisition was made in the frontal plane with thin jointed cross‐sections. The two other planes were get from this native one : horizontal and sagittal ones. Reconstructions were then defined from the CT‐scan cross‐sections. The morphological and architectural results were excellent and analyzed.

Détailler la morphologie en coupe de l’extrémité rostrale d’un requin Hâ sur les 23 premiers cm d’un spécimen de 1 m de long environ. Scannographie dans le plan frontal tous les 1 mm de la partie rostrale d’un requin rapidement conservé par congélation après sa pêche au large de l’île d’Oléron. Multiplication des reconstructions à partir des coupes natives. L’appareil scannographique était un Siemens somatom definition à 64 barrettes. Vingt-huit reconstructions scannographiques externes ou profondes ont été obtenues. Sur les séries de coupes, les résultats morphologiques et topographiques étaient nombreux et intéressants. Les yeux étaient volumineux à l’intérieur de grandes cavités orbitaires. L’encéphale était inclus dans une cavité intracrânienne étroite et allongée avec 3 vésicules. Les vertèbres cervicales étaient en forme de « diabolo », entourant la moelle. L’appareil digestif était placé juste au-dessous de la face antérieure de la colonne vertébrale. Le scanner sérié avec reconstruction est désormais une méthode inestimable pour les études morphologiques. Elle est complètement justifiée alors que de nombreuses espèces animales sont en danger d’extinction.

A wax ear model was observed in its anatomical veracity and its structures detailed by a CT‐scan examination. It was 13 cm high, 17 cm long and 17 cm high. The three parts of the ear were represented. The auricle (11,7 cm high, 8 cm antero‐posterior, 5 cm transversal) represented the cartilaginous part and several muscles, the external auditory conduct ; the middle ear represented the tympanic membrane, the malleus and the uncus, the facial nerve and the tympanic cord ; the internal ear represented the superior part of the cochleo‐vestibular apparatus. The temporal bone was represented with its squamous part, the petrous pyramid and the tympanal bone. The end of the internal carotid artery ( 5 cm long, 1 cm in diameter) was represented in red as the middle meningeal artery on the the endocranial face of the squamous part of the temporal bone covered by a thin transparent layer of wax representing the dura mater. The lateral part of the Eustachian tube was represented (6 cm long, 1,3 cm in diameter). Not any element could be removed from its adjacent parts, this was dued to the construction in wax. The CT‐scan (Siemens somatom definition) proved that the anatomical part in wax was made by two joined elements. An internal metallic wire attached it to the plaster foot (12 cm high, 12 cm wide). The basis in wood was 29 cm in diameter and comprised two labels : one metallic and one in paper authentifying Tramond as the craftman. He was active late in the 19th century and during the beginning of the 20th century.

Un modèle d’oreille anatomique en cire, réalisé par Tramond à Paris a été étudié pour apprécier sa véracité anatomique et un scanner pratiqué pour déterminer la structure de ses 3 composants : pièce anatomique en cire (longueur et largeur : 13 cm), piédestal en plâtre (12 cm de haut) et socle en bois (29 cm de diamètre). Le modèle a été observé, photographié, mesuré, pesé (1949,4 g) et scannographié (appareil Siemens somatom à 64 barrettes). Les 3 parties de l’oreille externe, moyenne et interne étaient représentées. L’auricule comportait le cartilage, plusieurs muscles auriculaires et le conduit auditif externe. L’oreille moyenne comportait le tympan, le malléus et l’incus, le nerf facial et la corde du tympan. L’oreille interne contenait le nerf cochléaire et le nerf facial. La représentation osseuse était très exacte : l’os temporal comportait la partie squameuse, la partie pétreuse et l’os tympanal. La terminaison de l’artère carotide interne était représentée en rouge comme l’artère méningée moyenne. Aucun des éléments n’était amovible. La scanographie (clinique du val d’Or à Saint-Cloud, 16 mai 2015) a montré que la partie anatomique en cire comportait deux éléments emboîtés et un fil métallique qui les reliait au piédestal en plâtre qui était creux et lui-même fixé au socle en bois par deux vis. Deux étiquettes sur le socle en bois : l’une en papier, l’autre en métal authentifiaient la fabrication par la maison Tramond à Paris, active dans la 2e moitié du 19e siècle. L’établissement Fleaglass possédait en janvier 2016 (catalogue Internet), un modèle strictement identique dont les éléments de l’oreille interne étaient plus complets. Ce modèle assez rare était complexe. La véracité anatomique était très bonne. La scanographie a apporté plusieurs précisions dans la technique de fabrication. La datation est de la fin du 19e siècle.

The 23 first cm of a pole‐shark (Galeorhinus galeus, Linnnaeus 1758 ) which total length was estimated to 1m, was CT‐scanned every 1 mm. The shark had been frozen and the prelevment included the pectoral fins. The CT‐scan apparatus was a Siemens somatom definition with 64 detectors. The native, frontal cross‐sections were reconstructed every 1 mm all along the longitudinal axis. 28 external or deep reconstruction’ aspects were defined. The morphological and topographical results were interesting and numerous. The eyes were voluminous inside large orbital cavities. The encephalon laid in a narrow and stretched intra‐cranial cavity with three vesicles. The cervical vertebrae were “diabolo” shaped surrounding the medulla. The digestive apparatus was placed just below the anterior face of the vertebral column. The seriated CT‐scan with reconstruction is actually an unvaluable method for the morphological studies. This method is completetely justified as numerous species are endangered.

A 98 cm long, naturalized crocodile had been CT‐scanned all along his length when laid on the radiological table. The apparatus was a 128 detector rows 's, Siemens somatom edge CT‐scan. Near one thousand (1000) frontal cross‐sections were obtained. They revealed the removal of all the skeleton inside the skin except the head where the osseous data could be detailed. The remnant body was filled with a common material thus the shape of the neck, trunk, tail and of the four limbs could be appreciated. Thirteen (13) external views had been reconstructed from the cross‐sections and were of good morphological value. The CT‐scan has proved to be an unvaluable method in every gross‐morphological anatomical study.

Un crocodile naturalisé de 98 cm de long appartenant à la librairie scientifique Gillot/Brieux a été examiné et photographié. Il a été passé au scanner haute résolution dans le plan frontal, de manière sériée sur toute sa longueur. Les résultats sont rapportés, détaillés, expliqués. Le scanner était un Siemens Somatom, 128 barrettes, à détecteurs ultrasensibles (CIMOP-Bizet, Paris). Près de mille (1000) coupes frontales ont été obtenues. Treize (13) reconstructions externes sous diverses incidences ont été obtenues. La cavité viscérale avait été évidée, ainsi que les membres, remplacée par une bourre de nature inconnue (paille). Seuls la tête et la peau avaient été conservées dans leur intégralité. L’ensemble avait été apparemment conservé par simple dessication. Le scanner a apporté de très nombreux renseignements morphologiques sur les parties naturelles, restantes : tête et peau et morphologie d’ensemble. L’anatomie des crocodiliens bien qu’étudiée est relativement mal connue. Le scanner par le nombre important de renseignements morphologiques et la précision de l’analyse des rapports est un moyen précieux d’exploration et d’étude anatomique, même si l’animal avait été presque entièrement évidé.

La tête osseuse d’une panthère (Pantera pardus) a été scannographiée (appareil Siemens somatom définition AS à 64 barrettes) de manière systématiquement sériée, tous les 0,8 mm avec des coupes de 1 mm d’épaisseur soient 252 images dans le plan frontal. Seize (16) reconstructions de surface ont été retenues. Cent cinquante et une (151) coupes dans le plan para-sagittal et 252 coupes dans le plan orbito-méatal (plan de Francfort) ont été reconstruites à partir des coupes natives. Les résultats morphologiques sont nombreux et souvent spectaculaires. La structure osseuse était parfaitement définie à chaque niveau de coupe. La description fine des racines de toute la dentition était possible. Deux (2) fils métalliques de solidarisation du crane et de la mandibule n’ont pas gêné l’examen. L’absence des structures centrales des cavités nasales n’a gêné que les données internes de ces dernières dont les parois périphériques étaient intactes.

The osseous head in a panther (Pantera pardus) was CT‐scanned (Siemens somatom definition AS apparatus) was systematically seriated CT‐scanned, every 0,8 mm with a 1 mm thickness : 252 cross‐sections were obtained in the frontal plane with the head laid horizontally on the radiological table. In the para‐sagittal plane and in the horizontal (orbito‐meatal or Francfort plane), respectively 151 and 252 cross‐sections were reconstructed from the native ones. The morphological results were numerous and often tremendous ; the osseous structure was perfectly defined on every level of cross‐section. The exact description of the roots of the dentition was possible. Two metallic wires which solidarized the cranium and the mandible did not alter the examination. The absence of the central structures in the nasal cavities was only a missing set of data without commitment for the interpretation of the peripheral walls which were unaltered. The external reconstructions under several views were a great help in the localization of the structures.

The osseous cranium of a dog of unknown age and race had been systematically CT‐scanned in the frontal plane. The cranium was laid on the apparatus’ table, its longitudinal axis aligned with the table’s one and the orbito‐meatal plane parallel to the plane’s table. The length of the cranium was 18,5 cm. Several reconstructions were obtained from the native crosss‐sections with an average density. The cross‐sections in the three planes : frontal, para‐sagittal and horizontal ones were reconstructed from the frontal, native cross‐sections using an high resolution with a thickness of 0,75 mm and an interval of 0,6 mm. 308 frontal, 170 para‐sagittal, and 125 horizontal cross‐sections were analyzed. The seriated CT‐scan of an entire cranium in the dog, in the three planes of the space gave great possiblities of analysis in all the kind of bones, for the architectural rendering, their volumes and relationships. This method is now unvaluable in the morphological analysis of the complicated, osseous structures.

The osseous head of an adult bulldog (Canis canis) was CT‐scan in the frontal plane (Siemens, 64 bars). The cranium was laid on the table of examination with its longitudinal axis superimposed to the table's one; the orbito‐meatal (Frankfurt) plane was parallel to the table's horizontal plane. The head was 15,4 cm long. Several reconstructions were realized from the native cross‐sections with an average density. The cross‐sections in the three planes were then reconstructed with a high resolution, a thickness of 0,75 mm and an interval of 0,6 mm. 257 cross‐sections were obtained in the frontal plane, 132 in the para‐sagittal plane, and 158 in the horizontal plane. The cross‐sections were analyzed. The seriated CT‐scans of the entire and connected cranium and mandible in the dog in the three planes of the space brought a great accuracy in the analysis of the shape of the bones, of their achitecture of their volumes and of their relationships. This method is now unvaluable in the osseous morphological studies of the complex structures in every field of gross‐anatomy.

One naturalized turtle belonged from 50 years to the scientific library Gillot‐Brieux (Paris 6ème). It was examined by one high resolution CT‐scan (CIMOP‐Bizet, Paris). Several reconstructions were performed. Only the visceral cavity had been emptied; the neck, head and legs had been preserved in their whole. The dorsal shell did not belonged to the naturalized specimen as it was larger than the true one, underneath and laid sligthly desaxed on the highest part of the true specimen which was only preserved. This strange set was discovered just before the CT‐scan with the cut of two iron wires which fixed the apparent dorsal shell. The CT‐scan afforded a lot of morphological data on the remnant natural parts of this chelonian.

One osseous head of a gorilla (tied cranium and mandible) was CT‐scanned every 1 mm in the frontal plane. The osseous head was 28,4 cm long. The adulte male specimen was probably prepared late in the 19th century. The CT‐scan was a Siemens Somatom definition AS one with 64 bars. The acquisition was performed with an helicoidal mode, then reconstructions of the cross‐sections were obtained in the horizontal (orbito‐meatal = Frankfurt’s plane) : 259 ; frontal : 364 and sagittal planes : 212. External view under several incidences : 14 were also reconstructed. The two pieces were tied by a vegetal rope allowing an aperture of 30 degrees. The teeth were tied at their collar by a thin string. Each tooth was entire and present in its place. The anatomical, topographical and architectural data were very numerous. We acknowledge Mrs Domenica Scalisi and Mr Alain Piffault.