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Chapter 9: Muscle and Nerve Biopsy 95

Figure 9.4 With a solid surface under the tibial nerve, a scalpel blade is used Figure 9.7 An incision has been made in the skin and fascia revealing the
to split the nerve into one‐third and two‐third sections in a proximal to underlying common peroneal nerve (arrow). The sites for biopsy of the
distal direction. proximal biceps femoris and distal gastrocnemius are marked with stars.

Figure 9.5 The nerve has been split with a scalpel blade and the proximal
end is held and transected with a scalpel blade.

Figure 9.8 The medial aspect of the forelimb over the elbow has been
clipped. An assistant is holding the opposite leg out of the field. A linear
incision centered caudally has been made in a proximal to distal direction.
The olecranon is marked with an arrowhead and the ulnar nerve bundle
with an arrow.

The preparation of the tongue depressor is done to ensure it will
fit into the planned sample container. In this case a 10‐mL red‐top
tube is usually chosen. The subcutaneous tissue and skin are
closed in routine fashion.
Figure 9.6 Once the proximal aspect has been severed, the biopsy sample Sampling of the common peroneal nerve and biceps femoris and
can be cut at the distal end and prepared as described in the text. gastrocnemius muscles requires a proximal to distal curvilinear