Hand osteology - Lizard Embryo

This is an 18+ stage lizard embryo. I have begun to remove the soft tissue around the hand. In the pictures below, you can see partially ossified bones, cartilage and what I believe are tendons.

Near the wrist is a piece of hardened yolk that is attached firmly to the skin. I have tried removing it, but am afraid I will tear the tissue around it. The embryo is delicate and one wrong move may ruin the integrity of the hand. When I begin to take the embryo through the staining process (which includes using KOH, or potassium hydroxide) I want it to be in good shape. For now, I dissect around it. 

Anole lizard embryo hand bones

Anole lizard embryo hand bones

Anole lizard embryo forearm

In the picture below, I tried to use the lighting to make the tendons stand out. Tendons are an opaque white color, but when light reflects off of them, you get an almost iridescent glow. In the pic below, you can see diagonal bands of light stretching from the wrist to the digits. I believe these are developing tendons.

Anole lizard embryo metacarpals, hand and tendons

Next, I wanted to highlight the tendon wrapping around the radius.

Anole lizard embryo forearm osteology

Anole lizard embryo forearm

Anolis carolinensis embryo hand osteology

All embryos were treated ethically according to IUCAC protocol.





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