Intrahepatic branching of the portal vein in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) and American mink (Neovison vison)

The study aimed to evaluate the comparative anatomy of liver and intrahepatic branching portal vein Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) American mink (Neovison vison). Due their highly valuable fur, minks have expanded range many parts Europe become available for biomedical studies. In this study, ten adult five otters were used. was studied by combined injection dissection technique. macroscopic revealed that both species six-lobed livers, although differences in shape, size some additional fissures documented. vein, upon entering liver, divides into right left branches. pattern had an branch at level with a caudate process branch. ramified lateral lobe while livers only distributed functional blood lobe. larger branch, its transverse umbilical parts, portion, along quadrate, medial papillary process.