Architecture of the bronchial tree in Cuvier’s dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus)

We imaged the lungs of five Cuvier's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) via computed tomography (CT) and micro-computed tomography (μCT) and compared these data to the lungs of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). These data demonstrate anatomical commonalities between the lungs of P. palpebrosus and A. mississippiensis, and a few notable differences. The structural similarities are (a) a proximally narrow, distally widened, hook-shaped primary bronchus; (b) a cervical ventral bronchus that branches of the primary bronchus and immediately makes a hairpin turn toward the apex of the lung; (c) a sequential series of dorsobronchi arising from the primary bronchus caudal to the cervical ventral bronchus; (d) intraspecifically highly variable medial sequence of secondary airways; (e) sac-like laterobronchi; and (f ) grossly dead-ended caudal group bronchi in the caudal and ventral aspects of the lung. The primary differences between the two taxa are in the overall number ...