Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

CT Anatomy of the Lower respiratory system of the Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors
Omid Zehtabvar 1
Hanan Ali Salman 2
Sarang Soroori 3
Hesameddin Akbarein 4
Mahtab Mohammad Zadeh 5
Seyyed Hossein Modarres Tonekabony 3
Arezoo Ramezani 3
Muhammad Shahbazi Dastjerdi 3
1 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2 Anatomy sector, Department of Basic science, faculty of veterinary medicine, university of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Department of anatomy and histology, Faculty of veterinary medicine, University of Basrah, Iraq.
3 Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
4 Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
5 Anatomy sector, Department of Basic science, faculty of veterinary medicine, university of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
10.22059/ijvm.2026.413774.1006077
Abstract
Respiratory problems are a major health issue for tortoises, but detailed information about their lung structure is limited. This study used computed tomography (CT) scans to examine the lower breathing system of the Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans). We aimed to understand how the lungs and air tubes are structured and if their capacity changes when the tortoise pulls its head and limbs into its shell for defense. We found that the lungs are divided into multiple distinct chambers and the air tubes are asymmetrical. Notably, when the tortoise retracts into its shell, the right lung gets compressed and becomes significantly smaller, likely because it is pushed by the large right liver lobe. The left lung’s size remains unaffected. The overall lung capacity also decreases during this defensive posture. These findings provide veterinarians with a precise understanding of normal lung structure and how posture affects breathing, which is essential for accurately diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases in this species.
Keywords
CT Anatomy
Respiratory system
Indian star tortoise
Morphology
Coelomic cavity
Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 August 2026