Fig. 6.

Channel-intermixing modes facilitate the study of the complex anatomy. The confocal microscopy scan of a hind limb of an embryonic mouse contains three channels of muscles (red), tendons (green), and nerves (blue). The bones (gray) were extracted from the empty space of the scan. a The channels of the scan are intermixed with the depth mode. The fibular and tibial nerves are occluded by a series of muscles and tendons (indicated by the arrows). The scale bar represents 200 μm. b In the composite mode, we observe the underlying nerves. However, the spatial relationship between some muscles and nerves is still unclear. For example, it is difficult to tell if the deep fibular nerves innervate the extensor digitorum brevis muscles. c The layered mode visualizes the nerves, muscles, tendons, and bones from top to bottom. The structures of the nerves are most obvious. d The layered mode groups the muscles and nerves, which are above the tendons. The group of muscles and nerves is rendered with the depth mode. We observe that a lateral branch of the superficial fibular nerves innervates between the peroneal muscles following the muscle fiber directions; the deep fibular nerve innervates the extensor digitorum brevis muscles at an angle to the muscle fiber directions. e Our knowledge obtained from a combination of different channel-intermixing modes is illustrated in a cartoon, clearly showing the anatomy