Detailed microCT imaging protocol for ex vivo rat stomachs with comparative analysis.

ABSTRACT: Understanding gastric structure is essential for studying gastrointestinal disorders. While traditional histological analysis focuses on two dimensions, micro-computed tomography (μCT) offers high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging but requires staining for proper visualization of soft tissues. This study presents the first detailed 3D anatomical reconstruction of the rat stomach using μCT, investigating optimal preparation and staining protocols to enhance image quality and ultimately help understand structural-functional relationships in rat stomachs. Fifteen rat stomachs were dissected and prepared through a five-stage process: fixation (2% neutral buffered formalin-NBF), dehydration (graded ethanol), staining (0.75% alcoholic Lugol's solution and 2% alcoholic phosphotungstic aci

SUBMITTER: Wijenayaka S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12479744 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature