Tail vein

The tail, also caudal vein or caudal vein ( vena caudalis lat median; cauda = tail ' ), called in vertebrates is the largest vein in the tail.

About cock branches ( Rami caudal ) blood from the muscles of the tail is returned into the tail vein. In mammals, the tail vein into the inferior vena cava ( " posterior vena cava "). In many species the tail is directly connected to the right Subkardinalvene.

The color model organisms mouse and rat color, or the corresponding domestic animals, the tail is a frequently used access for intravenous Applizierung of drugs or the collection of blood. In mice, the tail can be easily extended by warm water or heat radiation so that they can be made safer with the cannula. In rats, the tail is relatively difficult to recognize. By removing the superficial keratinized epithelial cells of the tail, for example, by the action of a saturated solution of sodium sulfide, the visibility can be significantly increased.

Also in ruminants, turtles, lizards and snakes, the tail can be used for these purposes.

Further Reading

• K. Reifenberg: applications and sampling - blood tests in experimental animals. (PDF, 6.3 MB) from the lecture Laboratory Animal Science, University of Mainz.
• G. Dirksen, W. Hermanns: intervertebral disc lesions of the tail of cattle due to incorrect fixation for blood sampling from the vena caudalis median. In: German Veterinary Medicine Wochenschrift 114, 2007, pp. 178-182. doi: 10.2377/0341-6593-114-178