Dissection and Isolation of Mouse Dorsal Root Ganglia

This video presents a method for the complete dissection and isolation of mouse dorsal root ganglia. Using a standardized workflow, the target ganglia can be accurately identified and completely harvested, providing high quality tissue samples for downstream studies. The dorsal root ganglia are essential components of the peripheral sensory system and contain the cell bodies of primary sensory neurons.

Due to their small size and deep location, accurate identification and complete isolation of DRG are technically challenging. In this video, we present a standardized method for mouse DRG dissection and isolation for downstream studies. In the following procedure, we demonstrate how to dissect and isolate mouse DRG in a stepwise manner.

This standardized method allows reliable identification and complete collection of DRG tissue while preserving structure integrity. The main instruments required for this procedure are microsurgical curved scissors, microsurgical forceps, scissors, and rongeurs. Together, these tools allow controlled dissection of surrounding tissues, opening of the vertebral canal, and precise isolation of the ganglia.

First, we expose the vertebral column and the vertebral canal to prepare for the subsequent DRG dissection. A dorsal midline incision is first made from the tail toward the cervical region. The skin is then gently reflected to both sides, exposing the underlying paraspinal tissues and providing a clear field for the following dissection procedure.

The paraspinal muscles and the surrounding connective tissues are carefully dissected along both sides of the vertebral column. Residual soft tissues covering the vertebra are then removed to fully expose the spinal column and create a clear field for the subsequent opening of the vertebral canal. Next, the vertebral canal is opened to expose the spinal cord and provide a clear view for the following dissection steps.

The dorsal lamina is then carefully removed with microsurgical curved seizures, gradually revealing the dorsal surface of the spinal cord for the next step of the dissection. The following video segment provides a magnified view of the dorsal lamina removal procedure under a stereomicroscope. The final step is to expose the dorsal root ganglion, which can be visualized under the stereomicroscope after lateral retraction of the vertebral canal.

Using rongeurs, the vertebral canal structures are gently retracted laterally on both sides to further open the canal and expose the dorsal root ganglia within the intervertebral foramina. This step should be performed carefully to preserve the connection between the ganglion and the spinal cord. The following video segment shows the procedure for isolating the target DRG under a stereomicroscope.

These are stereomicroscopic images of the dorsal root ganglia. The first image shows the DRG within the intervertebral foramina and the second image shows the isolated DRG tissue. Ideal DRG dissection should preserve both the ganglia and their attached nerve fibers as completely as possible, which helps maintain tissue integrity and supports downstream experiments.

In contrast, excessive traction or tissue damage during the procedure may compromise sample quality and affect experimental results. Representative images and H&E staining further demonstrate that this method enables the acquisition of structurally intact DRG tissue. Ultimately, this standardized method enables reliable isolation of structurally intact and segmentally accurate mouse dorsal root ganglia, providing a technical foundation for peripheral nerve research.