Adherent Primary Cultures of Mouse Intercostal Muscle Fibers for Isolated Fiber Studies

Figure 1

Critical Steps in Gross Dissection of Intercostal Muscles. (a) Cervical dislocation following CO₂ asphyxiation and 70% ethanol wash. (b) Pinning mouse, ventral face up. (c) First incision from posterior abdomen to throat. (d) Skinning: pinning back initial flap. (e) Skinning: cutting subcutaneous connective tissue. (f) Skinning: continue removal to vertebral column. (g) Opening incision at anterior end of abdominal cavity. (h) Exposed posterior face of thoracic cavity (after puncture). (i) Removal of diaphragm. (j) Incision along ventral face of sternum. (k) Removal of pectoral and other muscle groups. (l) Full exposure of ribs. (m) Severing ribs (ventral face). (n) Severing ribs (dorsal face). (o) Isolated ribs transferred to HBSS for imaging. Scale is centimeter ruler.

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