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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Image Rendering Techniques in Postmortem Computed Tomography: Evaluation of Biological Health and Profile in Stranded Cetaceans
12:32

Image Rendering Techniques in Postmortem Computed Tomography: Evaluation of Biological Health and Profile in Stranded Cetaceans

Published on: September 27, 2020

On how whales avoid decompression sickness and why they sometimes strand.

Arnoldus Schytte Blix1, Lars Walløe, Edward B Messelt

  • 1Department of Arctic Biology, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway and St Catharine's College, Cambridge CB2 1RL, UK. asb000@uit.no

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|June 22, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Whales possess unique arterial retia that absorb nitrogen into surrounding fat, preventing dangerous bubbles from reaching the brain. Disruptions to diving can cause nitrogen buildup, potentially leading to mass strandings.

Keywords:
CetaceaPhocoena phocoenadivingharbor porpoiseretewhale

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Image Rendering Techniques in Postmortem Computed Tomography: Evaluation of Biological Health and Profile in Stranded Cetaceans
12:32

Image Rendering Techniques in Postmortem Computed Tomography: Evaluation of Biological Health and Profile in Stranded Cetaceans

Published on: September 27, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Marine Mammal Physiology
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Diving Physiology

Background:

  • Whale brains receive blood via thoracic and intra-vertebral arterial retia, not internal carotid arteries.
  • These retia feature complex, sinusoid structures embedded within adipose tissue.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism by which whales' arterial retia prevent nitrogen bubble formation.
  • To propose a hypothesis for the cause of mass whale strandings related to nitrogen metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Anatomical examination of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) arterial retia.
  • Analysis of nitrogen solubility in fat versus water.
  • Correlation of diving physiology with arterial retia function.

Main Results:

  • Harbor porpoise arterial retia consist of fine, anastomosing vessels and thin-walled sinusoids within fat.
  • Nitrogen solubility is significantly higher in fat (at least six times) compared to water.
  • Slow blood passage through retia facilitates nitrogen diffusion into surrounding fat.

Conclusions:

  • The arterial retia act as a 'nitrogen trap,' absorbing dissolved nitrogen into fat via diffusion, thus preventing bubble formation in the brain.
  • Abnormal dive profiles may lead to excessive nitrogen release, overwhelming this system and causing neurological issues, potentially resulting in mass strandings.