title: Muscle and nerve biopsy.
abstract: Biopsy of muscle and nerve is an essential component of the diagnostic plan for animals with suspected neuromuscular disease. This article includes descriptions of the biopsy procedures and information regarding appropriate biopsy site selection and correct handling and processing of the tissues. The normal and pathological appearance of muscle and nerve using routine histochemical and histological techniques are described and illustrated emphasizing the basic myopathic and neuropathic responses of the neuromuscular system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA. pjdickinson@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: LeCouteur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary / Q000379:methods