Vascular Corrosion Casts of the Nasal Mucosa: An Experimental Study in the Rabbit

Abstract

Ten rabbits of either sex, weighing between 1.8 and 2.7 kg were used for studies on the angioarchitecture of the nasal mucosa of the septum and the anterior concha. Via the common carotid artery, Batson's corrosion compound No. 17 was introduced into the vascular system of the nose after rinsing with Ringer's solution. After digesting the connective tissue between the vessels, vascular corrosion casts were obtained. The replica of the endonasal angioarchitecture offers a unique opportunity to examine the various vascular layers of the nasal mucosa as well as the junction and relationships between different vessels in the different levels of the tunica propria. Our results can be regarded as a useful extension of earlier investigations in this field.

Key Words:

• nasal mucosa
• vasculature
• corrosion casts