Fig. 1.

Visual workflow of bimodal tendon imaging by confocal microscopy and x-ray micro-computed tomography. a Schematic workflow of bimodal imaging of tendon with representative images of rat tendon after key processes in the protocol. Each modality can be performed independently of the other. Scale bar = 2.5 mm. b Visual timeline of typical bimodal 3D imaging modalities for whole rat Achilles and equine SDFT segment. Preparation for our optimised whole-mount confocal imaging takes a minimum of 16 days, whilst μ-CT modalities can be performed in 3 days following reverse clarification