Arterial Anatomy of Mouse Hindlimb

Mice (n = 8) were dissected to investigate the arterial anatomy of the hindlimb. Arteries were dilated and fixed with red-colored resin for easier visualization and subsequent dissection. Before perfusion, the hindlimb hair was removed. Under deep general anesthesia, 0.1 mL heparin and 0.6 mg papaverine were administrated followed by thoracotomy and transection of the caudal vena cava. Subsequently, 2.5–5.0 mL of resin consisting of 40% chloroprene (Showa-Denko Chloroprene 671A, Showa-Denko, Tokyo, Japan), 10% red acrylics and 50% saline was injected into the left ventricle. The success of the perfusion was confirmed by observing marked dilation of the femoral and saphenous arteries. The perfused animals were stored in a refrigerator overnight to solidify the resin. The following day, 11 hindlimbs (8 left, and 3 right) from 8 mice were dissected to investigate the arterial anatomy, with the aid of a stereomicroscope (M80, Leica, Wetzlar, Germany). To clarify the anatomy of the nutrient arteries of the hindlimb, viscera of the caudal abdomen and pelvis, fat tissue, and veins were resected if at all possible. The routes and distributions of the arteries were recorded, together with any variations from the norm. The observed anatomy was photographed using digital cameras (Camedia C-5060, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan. istDs, Pentax, Tokyo, Japan). The terminologies used were compliant with the veterinary anatomy glossary established by the Japanese Association of Veterinary Anatomists, or with human anatomy [29] .