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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Jan 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Biol Methods. 2014;1(2):e6. doi: 10.14440/jbm.2014.26

Figure 1. Preparation of mouse to study autonomous collecting lymphatic contraction.

Figure 1

A. The hindlimb of the mouse is shaved and placed prone on a heated surface for performing microsurgery. B. After immobilizing the mouse with tape and sterilizing the area with 70% ethanol, a small incision is made starting at the back of the ankle and running toward the back of the knee along the medial aspect. C. The view through stereomicroscope of incision in (B). D. After the PLV is identified, a flap of skin is removed to allow for intravital microscopy. The fat surrounding the PLV is bluntly dissected without damaging any vessels. E. The view through the stereomicroscope (left) and a fluorescent view of the PLVs running with the caudal branch of the lateral saphenous vein (right). Red arrow identifies PLV. F. The PLV is placed flat against the bottom of a petri dish with the mouse in a “seated” position. Saline is applied to keep the exposed tissue wet. G. The mouse and petri dish are placed on a heated stage to maintain the body temperature of the mouse. H. The mouse, petri dish and heated stage are placed on the inverted fluorescence microscope.