Anatomical study of intramuscular arterial patterns in rabbits

A variety of animal muscle or musculocutaneous flap models have been described and used in experimental flap research. In particular, the pig and dog models have been favoured, principally due to their large size and anatomy similar to that of humans. However, the pig and dog models may be expensive and difficult to use. Although the rabbit is relatively small, easy to work with, inexpensive to acquire and maintain, and suitable for long term study, few rabbit muscle models have been described. In preparation for further studies using the rabbit muscle model, we set out to document the available rabbit muscles suitable for experimental study.