LUNG HISTOLOGY
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Underinflated lung (100X) precludes accurate histologic interpretation |
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Well inflated lung (100X) |
RADIL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FORMALIN INFLATION OF LUNGS
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Step 1. Skin animal to expose ventrum of thorax and neck. |
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Step 2. Cut along both sides of the ribs, remove rib cage, and dissect cervical musculature to expose trachea. |
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Step 3. Inspect each lung lobe for gross lesions. |
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Step 4. Insert needle (attached to formalin filled 20cc syringe) into trachea. Grasp trachea around inserted needle with forceps to prevent backflow of formalin. |
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Step 5. Push syringe plunger to inflate lungs with formalin. Lungs are adequately inflated when the formalin reaches the margins of all lung lobes and the lungs fill the chest cavity. |
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Step 6. Remove needle and grasp trachea with forceps to keep the lumen closed. Cut trachea proximal to forceps with scissors. |
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Step 7. Remove entire pluck by cutting the esophagus and aorta at the diaphragm. |
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Step 8. Submerse lung pluck in formalin. |