Calvarial Window Generation in Mouse Model: A Surgical Procedure to Create Window in the Top Part of the Mouse Skull
Transcript
The calvaria is the top part of the skull, which covers and protects the cranial cavity – the hollow space within the skull that encloses the brain. It consists of five bones connected by fibrous tissue called sutures, including the coronal, sagittal, and lambdoid sutures.
To generate a calvarial window for accessing the brain, first, take an anesthetized mouse with its head shaved.
Secure the animal onto a stereotactic unit, stabilizing its skull. Maintain its body temperature using a heating pad.
Then, sterilize the scalp and make a small incision along the central median portion of the cranium.
Subsequently, orient the drill perpendicular to the bregma – the intersection point of the coronal and sagittal sutures.
Position the drill at the intended area, at a suitable distance from the bregma.
Carefully initiate the drill onto the skull, moistening the target site to prevent tissue damage from heat buildup.
Drill with shallow depth through the calvaria to form the calvarial window.
Once the window is created, the mouse can be used for further experimental procedures.
