Hello - I am on a project looking specifically at the patellar tendon and we are trying to get in vivo samples from rats and/or mice in the near future. However, all of the literature I see doesn't provide specific details on how to perform the removal of these tendons with minimal mess and disruption to the structure. The lab I am collaborating with who will perform the dissection is looking for more details. Has anyone performed such a dissection before that can explain further how this might be done?
Hi Emily, Patellar tendon is very easy to locate on the knee. You give a longitudinal cut on the middle of knee anteriorily, Pull the skin apart on either side and you will see very clearly white structure on the top of knee (photo enclosed. Cut the inner layer and you get acces to patellar tendon. If you are doing survival surgery, I will prefer you give the first cut on medial side, parapatellar side so that it is easy to do surgery back. Hope that helps. You can practice first on some discarded carcass.
