The angioarchitecture of the hard palate mucosae of young rabbits was investigated by using microvascular casting of low density resin (Mercox®). The injected specimens were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The palatine mucosa and the adjacent gingiva have an important function during the mastication, vocalization and swallowing. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the structure of the micro vasculature of the palatine mucosa.

The animals were anesthetized and perfused with approximately 500ml of prewarmed (37°C) heparinized saline. Then, 30-40ml of Mercox® CL2-B, prepared conforming the manufacterer's intructions, were carefully injected via aorta artery under manual pressure. After the complete resin polymerization, specimens were dissected and macerated with 10% NaOH for several days at room temperature. The vascular casts were rinsed in distelled water, dried, mounted in stubs, coated with gold and examined in JEOL 6100 scanning electron microscope.