METHOD FOR EMBEDDING TEMPORAL BONES OF RATS IN METHYL-METHACRYLATE

The commonly used method of preparing the temporal bone for light micr oscopy is a refinement of a basic formula that has been employed for a century. This process includes fixation, decalcification, neutralizat ion, dehydration, embedding in celloidin, and hardening. The main disa dvantage of this process is that decalcification is performed. This ar ticle describes a new method for preparing the temporal bone of rats f or light microscopy. The main advantage of this new method is that no decalcification is involved, so that all bony elements are retained in their normal shape and location, and even retain some enzymatic activ ity. Other advantages are that the fixation is reversible and the proc ess is short (approximately 2 weeks) and therefore relatively inexpens ive. Our vast and positive experience with this technique has led us t o report this method not in a specific experiment, but rather as a spe cific laboratory technique.