The ‘Swiss roll’: a simple technique for histological studies of the rodent intestine

The entire small intestine of laboratory rodents can be removed, divided in various portions. opened longi-tudinally and rolled with the mucosa outwards. After histological processing microscopical examination of the entire length of the small intestine is then possible. Histological examination of the (small) intestine presents problems. Directly after removal of the intestine from the abdominal cavity it contracts due to the action of the longitudinal musculature. Shortly Fig. I. Small intestine removed from abdomen and arranged for division into equal parts. Duodenum left, jejunum centre, ileum right. Fig. 3. Each segment of intestine is carefully slit open with scissors from the caudal end. Fig. 2. Divided intestine with alternate segments reversed so that all are in the same orientation i.e. all caudal ends nearest th