Background and Objectives: An understanding of the cross-sectional structures and histological features of experimental animals is necessary for conducting the research of rhinosinusitis in experimental animals. The aim of this study is to determine the most suitable cross-sectional level of rhinosinusitis in a rat model.
Materials and Methods: The study examined the histological features of the mucosal epithelium, gland, lymphoid tissue, and vomeronasal organs using 4 week-old male rats weighing 60-70 g as test subjects. Whole mounted sinus-nose complexes were divided into four levels of areas which were sectioned according to the coronal plane and each section was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and observed under light microscopy.
Results: Level I revealed the nasal turbinate, maxilloturbinale, and nasolacrimal duct. Level II revealed the nasal turbinate, maxilloturbinale, vomeronasal organ, and nasolacrimal duct. Level III revealed the ectoturbinale I, II, endoturbinale II, III, maxillary sinus, Steno’s gland, maxillary sinus gland, and nasal associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). Level IV revealed the ectoturbinale II, endoturbinale III, IV, pharyx respiratorius, and NALT. The lining epithelia were squamous, respiratory and olfactory. However, the squamous epithelium was not observed in level III and IV.
Conclusion: The Level III appears to be the most suitable for the rhinosinusitis animal rat model since we can observe the respiratory epithelium lined sinonasal airspace including the maxillary sinus and NALT.
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