Microvasculature of grey parrot head

All animals possess unique anatomic variations that help them adapt to their environment. The Grey Parrot Anatomy Project has been established in part to improve upon and create technology that allows the world to study anatomy of any animal. By understanding what is normal, we are better positioned to identify and ultimately treat the abnormal. Discoveries made through the project have already been used on a large variety of animals including humans. BriteVu®, a novel contrast agent developed out of the project allows researchers to see vasculature (with the aid of a CT scan) down to the capillary level. A grey parrot head is seen here with vessels highlighted using BriteVu®. One interesting finding has been the tortuous vessels at the base of the head. These vessels have slack to allow the bird to turn its head around without significantly altering blood flow.