Topografia e morfometria do timo em aves (Gallus gallus domesticus) da linhagem Ross 308 AP (AP95)

AbstractThe objective of this study was to describe the topography and morphometry of the thymus in 30 domestic fowl of the Ross 308 AP (AP95) lineage, 15 males and 15 females, with an approximate age of 15 weeks and a mean weight of 2.1 kg for males and 1.7 for females. After fixation in 10 % formalin aqueous solution, the specimens were dissected. The thymic lobes were located from the cranial third of neck to clavicular bones, linearly, longitudinally and laterally in neck, parallel to the vagus nerve, external jugular vein and common vagus nerve artery. The lobes presented oval and triangular shapes and the number varies from four to eight. Grouping the thymic lobes according to the location in neck in cranial, middle or caudal thirds, the averages of length x widths x thickness varied from 1.93 to 52.1 mm, 0.98 to 23.15 mm and 0.32 to 8.52 mm. The thymus of AP95 chicken presented topographic and morphological characteristics similar to those of other strains, but, regarding morphometry, unique characteristics were observed.Keywords: anatomy; glands; chicken; primary lymphoid organ; lymphoid tissue.