Understanding the lymphatic system of deer, particularly the location of lymph nodes, is crucial for wildlife management and disease monitoring, such as testing for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Visual aids can significantly enhance this understanding. Here are some resources that provide detailed images and diagrams of the lymph node system in deer:
Retropharyngeal Lymph Nodes Used for Testing Deer for CWD: The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks offers a photograph highlighting the retropharyngeal lymph nodes, which are commonly sampled for CWD testing. This image is beneficial for identifying these lymph nodes’ precise location.
Collection of CWD Samples (Brainstem and Lymph Nodes): The University of Wyoming provides a comprehensive PDF guide with illustrations demonstrating the process of collecting lymph nodes and brainstem samples from deer for CWD testing. These illustrations are valuable for understanding the anatomical positioning of lymph nodes.
Hemal Nodes: The Missouri Department of Conservation discusses hemal nodes, which are often confused with lymph nodes. While not the same, understanding their appearance and location can be helpful. The page includes images to aid in distinguishing between the two.
For a practical demonstration, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game provides a video tutorial on how to collect a sample for CWD testing, which includes locating and extracting lymph nodes.