Histopathologic Examination of the Rat Nasal Cavity

Histopathologic Examination of the Rat Nasal Cavity. Young,J.T. (1981). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 1:309–312. A methodfor preparation of the rat nasal cavity for histopathologicexamination is presented, and the anatomic features of the sectionsobtained are described. The method results in four tissue sectionswhich are selected because of their reproducibility based onlandmarks on the dorsal aspect of the mouth and because of theanatomic features of each section which contribute to a thoroughexamination of the nasal cavity. The four areas examined includetransverse sections taken at the following points: (1) immediatelyposterior to the upper incisor teeth, (2) at the incisive papilla,(3) at the second palatal ridge, and (4) at the level of thefirst upper molar teeth. The value of each section to the overallevaluation of the nasal cavity and adjacent structures is alsodiscussed. The method described is applicable to both short-termand chronic toxicity studies, and allows for a thorough examinationof the nasal cavity without destructive invasion at the timeof necropsy.