Digestive Peritoneum in Wistar Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

The laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus albinus) has been used as a model for medical, biological and molecular research, for a long time. It is an interesting fact that there are no detailed descriptions of the gross anatomy of the liver and its ways of fixation. The aim of this study is to define clearly and according to the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria principles, the liver and its way of fixation in this species of laboratory mammal. Eighty-eight rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were used, with a weight between 250 and 450 g. They were dissected in fresh, after been euthanized by an overdose of thiopental sodium intraperitoneal. An incision from the xiphoid cartilage up to the pubic region was made and another on each costal arch toward dorsal. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]