ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SMALL INTESTINE SUBMUCOSAL AND SEROSAL-MUSCULAR LYMPHATIC VESSELS

G Azzali

Abstract


Lymphatic vessels of small intestine submucosal and
serosal-muscular layers in mice and bats have been
studied by electron microscopy and tridimensional
reconstruction of thin serial sections. Lymphatic endothelium
has a continuous appearance, it lacks fenestrations
and pores and it is encircled by a thick connective
tissue layer. The endothelial wall shows intraendothelial
channels, quite similar to those previously
described in the lacteal vessels. The author believes
that the above mentioned intraendothelial channels,
together with pinocytotic vesicles, play a fundamental
role in the transendothelial transport of fluids,
proteins and macromolecules. Moreover, intercellular
specialized junctional complexes do not appear to
take any part in this process.


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