Mouse Stomach Fundus Tissue - 40x
This digital image depicts a three-dimensional reconstruction of mouse stomach fundus tissue imaged at 40x. The mouse stomach, as well as the stomach of other rodents, is notable for the particularly strong barrier between it and the esophagus. This barrier coupled with other factors, such as the lack of certain nervous system connections and the incapability of diaphragm muscle contraction, renders mice and other rodents nonemetic. Since they cannot vomit, mice try to ensure their safety from toxic substances by other means. One of the methods they employ is to taste new items they encounter in very small quantities in order to gauge their toxicity.