The structure of the rostral epidural rete mirabile in selected representatives of the Cervidae and Bovidae families

The rostral epidural rete mirabile appears in many studies on cerebral vascularisation; however, its exact characteristics are poorly understood. Its structure and location have a mechanism of selective cooling of the brain, protecting the animal from hyperthermia and affecting the body water balance. The aim of this study was to analyse the structure of the rostral epidural rete mirabile along with its tributaries. The study material consisted of a total of 61 specimens from the deer family belonging to the European roe deer, red deer and fallow deer species and those belonging to the beef family: domestic cattle, European bison, domestic sheep and domestic goat. The rostral epidural rete mirabile in the families of this study is well developed. It is formed of many small arteries anastomosing with each other and its main tributary is the maxillary artery, which is an extension of the external carotid artery. Additionally, in cervids, blood is supplied by the condylar artery. Within the families analysed, there was considerable similarity in the plan of construction within the rostral epidural rete mirabile, with minor differences among individual taxa.