Electron microscopic observations on the pecten of the great blue heron (Ardea herodias).

The pecten oculi of the great blue heron (Ardea herodias) has been examined by both light and electron microscopy. In this species the pecten is large and of the pleated type. It consists of 14-15 acordion folds that are joined apically by a more heavily pigmented bridge of tissue which holds the pecten in a fan-like shape widest at its base. As in other species it is situated over the optic nerve head and projects out into the vitreous. Within each fold are numerous capillaries, larger supply and drainage vessels and many melanocytes. The capillaries are extremely specialized vessels which display extensive microfolds on both their luminal and abluminal borders. The endothelial cell bodies are extremely thin with most organelles present in a paranuclear location. The capillaries are surrounded by thick fibrillar basal laminae which are felt to be structurally useful. Pericytes are a common feature of these capillaries. The numerous pleomorphic melanocytes which form an incomplete sheath around the capillaries and other blood vessels are also felt to be important in structural support of the pecten. The morphology of the pecten of the great blue heron is indicative of a heavy involvement in the transport of materials.     

Fine structure of capillaries in the conus papillaris of the limbless lizard,Ophisaurus apodus (Anguidae,Lacertilia)

Summary The conus papillaris of Ophisaurus apodus consists of blood vessels and pigment cells. The capillary walls are formed by endothelial cells, scarce pericytes and basal laminae. The cell bodies are attenuated and the plasmalemma of their luminal and abluminal surfaces forms microvilli. The perivascular space is well developed, containing nerve fibers and their terminals. Similar localization and ultrastructure of avian pecten oculi and lacertilian conus papillaris suggest homology of these structures.     

Conus-like structure in the eye of the deep-sea teleost Radiicephalus elongatus (Pisces,Teleostei)

Summary A conus-like structure, the hyaloid conus, located on the optic nerve head of the mesopelagic deep-sea teleost Radiicephalus elongatus is described. The hyaloid conus consists of a tapering sheath of unpigmented, vascularized connective tissue enveloping the proximal part of the hyaloid artery which proceeds from the optic nerve head through the vitreous body to the ventrally located falciform process and lens muscles. The hyaloid artery passes through the hyaloid conus without giving off any branches. The conus vessels encircling the hyaloid artery receive arterial blood from the choroid via small arteries and are drained to the choroid by a single vein. The hyaloid conus is compared with the lacertilian conus papillaris. The function of the hyaloid conus is unknown. Because of its small dimensions relative to those of the eyeball and its few capillaries, it is unlikely that the hyaloid conus is a supplemental nutritive device for the retina.     

Die Ultrastruktur des Conus papillaris im Auge der ErzschleicheChalcides chalcides (L.) (Lacertilia,Scincidae)

Zusammenfassung Die Strukturen des fingerförmigen Conus papillaris im Auge der ErzschleicheChalcides chalcides wurden licht- und elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Eine Abgrenzung zum Glaskörper hin fehlt. Das GefÄ\system gliedert sich in Arteriole, prÄkapillÄre GefÄ\e, Kapillaren und Venolen. Die Arteriole besitzt Endothelzellen mit kurzen FortsÄtzen und elektronendichten Cytosomen sowie eine locker angeordnete Muskelschicht. Die prÄkapillÄren GefÄ\abschnitte sind kurz und Ähneln im Aufbau der Arteriole. Die organellenreichen Endothelzellen der sehr langen Kapillaren weisen zürn GefÄ\lumen hin einen dichten Saum bis zu 1,2 m hoher, regelmÄ\ig angeordneter Mikrofalten auf, wÄhrend die basale ZelloberflÄche etwas weniger organisiert ist. In einer bindegewebigen GefÄ\scheide kommen PericytenauslÄufer vor. Die Venolen unterscheiden sich von der Arteriole durch eine grö\ere Zahl luminaler FortsÄtze und weniger Cytosomen im Endothel, sowie durch eine lockerer gebaute Muskelschicht. Im Interstitium finden sich Bindegewebszellen, Mastzellen und Pigmentzellen, deren Ultrastruktur beschrieben wird. Die zahlreichen marklosen vegetativen Nervenfasern enthalten auffallend wenige Schwannsche Zellen, deren Rolle formal z.T. von den Pigmentzellen eingenommen zu werden scheint. Die Nervenfasern dienen vermutlich teilweise der Innervation der zentralen GefÄ\e; andererseits kann erstmals in einem Conus papillaris auch eine Innervation von Pigmentzellen nachgewiesen werden.Die Befunde werden mit denen am Conus papillaris anderer Echsen und Pecten oculi von Vögeln im Hinblick auf strukturelle Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen beiden Organen verglichen. DerChalcidesconus entspricht in Form, GefÄ\architektur, Innervation und Mastzellgehalt dem typischen Echsenconus, wÄhrend die relative Kapillarvermehrung und die Gestaltung ihrer EndotheloberflÄche mit den VerhÄltnissen im Pecten oculi vergleichbar ist. Der Conus papillaris vonChalcides chalcides nimmt somit hinsichtlich seiner Ultrastruktur eine gewisse Mittelstellung zwischen Conus und Pecten ein. Vermutlich dient auch der Conus der ErnÄhrung der avaskulÄren Echsennetzhaut bzw. dem Austausch der intraokulÄren Flüssigkeit.

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Fine structure of the conus papillaris in the eye ofChalcides chalcides (L.) (Lacertilia, Scincidae)

Summary The conal process (conus papillaris) within the eye ofChalcides chalcides was studied by light and electron microscopy. The finger-like organ is not sharply bordered against the vitreous body. The vascular system consists of a central arteriole, precapillary vessels, capillaries and venules. The endothelial cells of the arteriole contain some luminal processes and many electron dense cytosomes. The arteriole is enveloped by a single layer of loosely arranged muscle cells. The precapillary vessels are short and in general resemble the arteriolar structure. The capillaries are forming long loops. Their endothelial cells are richly studded with cellular organelles, especially mitochondria and micropinocytotic vesicles. Their luminal surface is organized into numerous regularly arranged about 1.2 m high microfolds, whereas the basal area is developed in a similar but slightly decreased way. The capillaries are enveloped by a connective tissue vessel sheath and some pericyte processes. The endothelium of the venules differs from that of the arteriole in a higher number of luminal processes and lesser dense cytosomes. The muscle cells are loosely connected to each other forming up to 3 layers. The intervascular space of the conus is occupied by connective tissue cells, mast cells, and pigment cells. Connective tissue cells are represented by small rounded elements. Pigmented cells contain many mitochondria, some filaments, dense areas beneath the inner leaflet of the unit membrane, and they are covered in part by basement membrane-like material. Mast cells are richly supplied by specific granules, on which exocytotic processes could not be observed. The conus is innervated by numerous unmyelinated vegetative nerve fibers. Schwann cells are rare and in part seem to be replaced by pigment cells. The nerve fibers probably innervate the central vessels. In addition, for the first time an innervation of conal pigment cells is found.Our findings are compared to those of the conal process of other lizards and those of the pecten oculi within the bird's eye. Form. vascular architecture, innervation and content of mast cells resemble the situation in typical lizards' conal processes, whereas lengthening of capillary vessels and organization of the luminal surface of their endothelial cells correspond to those found in birds' pecten oculi. Therefore, the conal process ofChalcides chalcides based on its ultrastructure, seems to represent a position in the middle between the typical conus papillaris of lizards and the pecten oculi of birds. It is assumed that like the pecten the conal process serves to the nutrition of the avascular retina and/or the exchange of intraocular fluids.

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Wir danken Frau I. Schroeder und Frl. S. Seidel (Münster) sowie Herrn D. Müller (Münster) und Herrn Ch. Fiebiger (Marburg) sehr herzlich für ihre technische Mitarbeit.     

Ontogeny of the conus papillaris of the lizard Gallotia galloti and cellular response following transection of the optic nerve: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

Spontaneous regrowth of the axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) occurs after unilateral optic nerve transection (ONT) in the lizard Gallotia galloti. We have performed an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of the conus papillaris (CP) of this lizard during ontogeny and after ONT in order to characterize its cell subpopulations, innervation and putative blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to evaluate changes occurring throughout regeneration. Proliferating PCNA⁺ cells were abundant between embryonic stage 33 (E33) and hatching. From E33, we observed Pax2⁺/GS⁺ glial cells in the primitive CP, which became increasingly pigmented and vascularised from E35. Conal astrocytes coexpressing Pax2 with vimentin and/or GFAP were identified from E37-E38. GluT-1⁺/LEA⁺/Pax2^- endothelial cells (ECs) formed a continuous endothelium with tight junctions and luminal and abluminal microfolds. In adults, the peripheral blood vessels showed a thinner calibre, stronger GluT-1 staining and more abundant microfolds than those of the central CP indicating the higher specialization involved during transport within the former. Occasional pericytes, abundant Pax2⁺ pigment cells, LEA⁺ microglia/macrophages, unmyelinated Tuj1⁺ nerve fibres and SV2⁺ synaptic vesicles were also observed in the perivascular zone. After ONT, the expression of GluT-1 and p75^NTR persisted in ECs, suggesting the preservation/early recovery of the BBB. Relevant ultrastructural alterations were observed at 0.5?months postlesion, although, by 3?months, the CP had recovered the ultrastructure of controls indicating tissue recovery. Abnormal newly formed blood vessels had developed in the CP-optic nerve junction. Thus, the CP is a central nervous system structure whose regenerating capacity might be key for the nutritional support of regenerating RGCs in G. galloti.     

Feeding the vertebrate retina from the Cambrian to the Tertiary

The retina of the vertebrate eye is metabolically active and requires nutritive support. During the last 540 million years it has evolved into forms as complicated and nutritionally demanding as those found in avian or primate eyes. Diffusion from the choroid is generally able to supply the metabolic needs of thin retinae. However, when the thickness exceeds the limits of diffusion, structures are needed to supplement the vascular supply from the choroid. These supplemental nutritive devices include the choroidal gland, the falciform process and preretinal vascular plexus of fish, the conus papillaris of lizards, the pecten oculi of birds, the intraretinal vessels of mammals and a few novel systems that remain difficult to classify. These vascular systems are among the most variable features of the vertebrate eye. Here, we review classical and recent findings regarding such retinal nutrition systems, propose a three category classification for them based on histologic origins and speculate on the evolutionary forces which drove their development.     

The Fine Structure of Some Blood Vessels of the Earthworm, Eisenia foetida

The fine structure of the main dorsal and ventral circulatory trunks and of the subneural vessels and capillaries of the ventral nerve cord of the earthworm, Eisenia foetida, has been studied with the electron microscope. All of these vessels are lined internally by a continuous extracellular basement membrane varying in thickness (0.03 to 1 µ) with the vessel involved. The dorsal, ventral, and subneural vessels display inside this membrane scattered flattened macrophagic or leucocytic cells called amebocytes. These lie against the inner lining of the basement membrane, covering only a small fraction of its surface. They have long, attenuated branching cell processes. All of these vessels are lined with a continuous layer of unfenestrated endothelial cells displaying myofilaments and hence qualifying for the designation of "myoendothelial cells." The degree of muscular specialization varies over a spectrum, however, ranging from a delicate endowment of thin myofilaments in the capillary myoendothelial cells to highly specialized myoendothelial cells in the main pulsating dorsal blood trunk, which serves as the worm's "heart" or propulsive "aorta." The myoendothelial cells most specialized for contraction display well organized sarcoplasmic reticulum and myofibrils with thick and thin myofilaments resembling those of the earthworm body wall musculature. In the ventral circulatory trunk, circular and longitudinal myofilaments are found in each myoendothelial cell. In the dorsal trunk, the lining myoendothelial cells contain longitudinal myofilaments. Outside these cells are circular muscle cells. The lateral parts of the dorsal vessels have an additional outer longitudinal muscle layer. The blood plasma inside all of the vessels shows scattered particles representing the circulating earthworm blood pigment, erythrocruorin.     

Morphological observations on the unique paired capillaries of the opossum retina

Light-microscopic and ultrastructural analysis of the ocular tissues of the North American opossum (Didelphis virginiana) revealed that the arterial and venous segments of retinal vessels, including capillaries of the smallest calibre, occur in pairs. They do not form anastomotic networks, the common pattern in mammals with vascularised retinae, but instead the two segments of the pair join to form hairpin end loops. The pairedd vessels, with the arteriolar limb usually on the vitread aspect, penetrate the retina and branch to form three distinct layers of capillaries. The most superficial lies in the nerve fiber layer, the middle is situated in the inner nuclear layer and the deepest extends to the external limiting membrane, which is considerably deeper than in normal mammalian holangiotic retinae. The paired capillaries display classical morphological features of central nervous system capillaries, i.e., they are lined by continuous endothelial cells united by tight junctions. The lining endothelium is supported by a distinct basal lamina that splits to envelop pericytes. The latter, although abundant, are invariably interposed between the two vessels that form each vascular unit. Phylogenetic and functional aspects of this unique form of retinal vascularisation are discussed.     

Ocular pathology in the minimally depigmented subline of the vitiliginous Smyth chicken

Choroidal melanocytes and the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) were studied morphologically and histochemically in the Smyth chicken, an avian model for human vitiligo. The sequence of cytological events occurring in the ocular tissue of minimally depigmented Smyth birds was determined. Abnormalities of melanocytes and the associated inflammation was least severe in peripheral areas of the choroid and most pronounced in the back of the eye at the base of the optic nerve head. In the peripheral choroid, morphologically normal melanocytes and an occasional mononuclear leukocyte were observed. However, some of these morphologically normal melanocytes histochemically demonstrated atypical tyrosinase activity at the trans area of the Golgi apparatus. Toward the back of the eye, the melanocytes first appeared swollen and had retracting dendrites. Ultrastructurally these melanocytes demonstrated an increase in extramelanosomal cytoplasm. Later, melanocytes became spherical and had membrane bound, autophagosome-like compartments of pigment granules. As the melanocyte injury progressed, macrophages invaded the tissue and phagocytized melanocytic dendrites. These were followed by numerous plasma cells. Eventually, the back of the eye contained no pigment and was infiltrated with numerous mononuclear inflammatory cells. The retinal pigment epithelium also demonstrated a gradient in the degree of destruction, related to its topography. These cytological features consisted of the retraction of apical RPE processes, the disappearance of the basal plasma membrane infoldings, and the replacement of Bruch's membrane by collagen-like fibrils. These results demonstrate that the uveitis which develops in vitiligo appears to be a consequence of an inherent choroidal melanocyte defect.     

Histomorphological observations on the liver in some freshwater teleosts.

Histomorphology of liver is studied in six species of teleost viz., Heteropneustes fossilis, Clarias batrachus, Puntius ticto, Danio malabaricus, Nandus nandus, Chana punctatus. The liver is a bilobed structure usually reddish brown in colour. There are accessory liver lobes in H. fossolis and C. batrachus. The histological examination shows compact mass of oval or polygonel hepatocytes, blood sinusoids and reticuloendothelial cells. In addition several patches of pigmented hepatocytes are also noticed. After partial hepatectomy the changes in liver structure are shrunken nature of hepatocytes, enlarged blood vessels and accumulation of lymphocytes near the cut portion. After biliary obstruction with the help of ligation of bile duct hepatocytes become turgid in appearance within seven days. There is fibrosis of blood vessels as well as bile spaces. The turgidity of hepatocytes increases fifteen days after the ligation so much so that some of them show necrotic appearance. There are numerous bile thrombi noticed after biliary obstruction.     

Comparative Study of Experimental Ocular Melanoma Using Two Implantation Techniques of B16-F10 Melanocytes

Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the behaviour of B16-F10 melanoma cell cultures implanted in the anterior chamber of the eye of New Zealand white rabbits by studying the clinical-pathological and ultrastructural characteristics of the lesions. Methods: One group (A) (consisting of 30 rabbits) was transclerally inoculated (1 mm from sclero-corneal limbus) with 4×10⁶ melanocytes and another group (B) (also 30 animals) was inoculated once per week for 3 consecutive weeks with 5×10⁶ cells (total 15×10⁶); 30 animals acted as the control group (C). All the lesions were processed for optic and electronic microscopy. Results: Tumoral growth in group A was 43% (13/30) and in group B 80% (24/30). All lesions were pigmented and none perforated the eyeball. Microscopically, they were a mixture of epithelioid and fusiform cells disposed around the blood vessels. Ultrastructurally, the presence of melanosomes in different stages of maturation and aberrant melanosomes were characteristic. Conclusion: We suggest that the transcleral inoculation of 15×10⁶ B16-F10 melanocytes into the anterior chamber of the eye of New Zealand white rabbits may be a valid and reproducible method for obtaining an experimental ocular melanoma model.     

Melanocytes in the Stria Vascularis and Vestibular Labyrinth of the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Inner ear melanocytes are mainly present in the cochlea, vestibular organ, and endolymphatic sac, but their exact biological function has not been determined. In this investigation, we study the pigment cells in the membranous labyrinth of the gerbil. The inner ear melanocytes of M. unguiculatus show an irregular dendritic shape with cytoplasmic processes. These cells are disposed following the distribution of striai marginal and vestibular dark cells that have an important metabolic activity. Gerbil inner ear melanocytes are characterized by the presence of melanosomes, which are homogeneously dense organelles, of variable size and shape, that are surrounded by a membrane. In these cells, the Golgi apparatus plays a important role in melanin synthesis. When melanocytes were incubated in L-DOPA solution, the vesicles and cisterns of the Golgi apparatus exhibited a positive tyrosinase reaction. An interesting observation is the relation between melanocytes and inner ear capillaries. Sometimes, near to sensory vestibular areas, the melanocytes were in contact with Schwann cells and with myelinated fibres of vestibular nerve. The ultrastructural findings of this investigation are consistent with the hypothesis that melanocytes may have functional significance in the inner ear.     

Portal-like microcirculation in rat sympathetic ganglia

The fine structure of intraganglionic blood vessels of rat superior cervical sympathetic ganglia is studied with the light microscope and with both conventional and ultrastructural histochemical methods. Two sets of small capillaries together with larger sinusoidal ones are identified. One set of capillaries is associated with the clustered (type II) small catecholamine-containing (CC) cells and exhibits features suggestive of fluid transport function (multiple wide fenestrae and active pinocytosis). The second set of capillaries is in direct relation to the sympathetic neurons (SN) and shows characteristics suggestive of absorptive function (microvilli and pinocytotic vesicles). The larger sinusoidal capillaries are observed in the vicinity of type II CC cells, extend parallel to the long axes of the perikarya of the neurons and occasionally form loops around them. The latter are assumed to be larger blood spaces connecting the two capillary sets and serve to slow the circulation around the neurons. A pattern of portal-like intraganglionic microcirculation through which type II CC cells participate in modulating the SN is postulated. Type II CC cells secrete a catecholamine modulator which, driven by concentration gradient, gains access to the circulation through the fenestrated capillaries. The sinusoidal capillaries serve to perfuse the SN with a slow stream of blood rich in the catecholamine modulator. The latter can be filtered through the microvilli and pinocytotic vesicles of the second set of capillaries to induce slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential on the SN.     

Cellular and ultrastructural features of the adult and the embryonic eye in the marine gastropod,Ilyanassa obsoleta

Light and electron microscopic techniques show that the eye of the marine prosobranch gastropod, Ilyanassa obsoleta, is composed of an optic cavity, lens, cornea, retina, and neuropile, and is surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. The adult retina is a columnar epithelium containing three morphologically distinct cell types: photoreceptor, pigmented, and ciliated cells. The retina is continuous anteriorly with a cuboidal corneal epithelium. The neuropile, located immediately behind the retina, is composed of photoreceptor cell axons, accessory neurons, and their neurites. The embryonic eye is formed from surface ectoderm, which sinks inward as a pigmented cellular mass. At this time, the eye primordium already contains presumptive photoreceptor cells, pigmented retinal cells, and corneal cells. Several days later, just before hatching, the embryonic eye remains in intimate contact with the cerebral ganglion. It has no ciliated retinal cells, neuropile, optic nerve, or connective tissue capsule and its photoreceptor cells lack the electron-lucent vesicles and multivesicular bodies of adult photoreceptor cells. As the eye and the cerebral ganglion grow apart, the optic nerve, neuropile, and connective tissue capsule develop.     

The autonomic innervation of the liver and gallbladder of Rana ridibunda

1--The innervation of the liver and gallbladder of Rana ridibunda has been studied by the following methods: (a) demonstration of cholinesterase activity; (b) FIF method for catecholamines; (c) immunohistochemistry for VIP and (d) electron microscopy. 2--The hepatocytes are arranged in regular rows of hepatic cords, very little connective tissue is distributed in the parenchyma, the innervation being restricted to the big branches of blood vessels. 3--Well defined cholinergic and adrenergic plexuses surround the hepatic arteries, portal veins and biliary ducts. The VIPergic innervation is scarce in the liver but a richly branched plexus spreads in the wall of the gallbladder. 4--Cholinesterase-positive cells are widely distributed accompanying the nerve trunks of the gallbladder. The innervation distribution is prominent in the portion of the gallbladder next to the hepatic hilus. 5--A population of melanin-storing cells besides free melanin granules are present in the liver parenchyma and are prominent in the gallbladder where the melanocytes are disposed in close contact with blood vessels and nerve structures. We have observed that the number of these visceral melanocytes considerably increases in winter, particularly in the liver.     

On the Melanization of the Rat's Eye

Electron-microscopic study of the size of the melanosomes, the mean percentage of melanosomal profile area (MPMA) of the cells, and the duration of melanogenesis in the pigmented layers of the rat's eye (inbred strain BDE/Han) revealed the following: 1) The melanosomes in the cells of the retina vary in size and shape in different locations of the eye. The MPMA of the cells also differs. Only in the two layers of the iris epithelium do the minor diameters of the melanosomes not differ significantly from each other, but the MPMA of the cells is different. The pigmented outer layer of the ciliary epithelium stands out on account of its especially large, round melanosomes. 2) The melanosomes of the uveal melanocytes are uniformly small but exhibit the largest MPMA. 3) Only in the pigment epithelium of the fundus does melanogenesis cease in the fifth week of life. As a result the MPMA decreases. In the other areas of the pigmented epithelium and the uvea tyrosinase activity and premelanosomes are present from the new-born to the adult animal. These signs indicate continued melanogenesis. 4) Compound melanosomes are present in all pigmented locations of the eye. Giant melanosomes occur regularly only in the outer layer of the retina.     

Structure of the Rete Mirabile in the Kidney of the Rat as Seen with the Electron Microscope

Electron micrographs of the rete mirabile in the medulla of the rat have revealed that the endothelium of the afferent and efferent vessels are markedly different in fine structure. The venous capillaries returning blood from the papilla are lined with a fenestrated endothelium much like that in the peritubular capillaries of the kidney. The arterial capillaries delivering blood to the papilla have an unperforated lining of overlapping endothelial cells with extremely irregular tapered margins. It is pointed out that the organization of particularly the latter vessels suggests that the functional capabilities of these retia go beyond those of a simple diffusion countercurrent exchanger.     

The mast cells of the mammalian central nervous system. IX. Development of the mast cells in the brain of the young rat

There are four potentially granular or frankly granular cells within the connective tissue compartment of the mammalian central nervous system, whether this is part of the surface leptomeninges or the leptomeningeal sleeves around parenchymal blood vessels larger than capillaries. These are: Cells that behave like macrophages, part of the mononuclear phagocyte system of the body; they are granular to varying degrees (containing lysosomes). Brown-pigmented granular cells which are mainly located on the surface but are also seen for varying distances along blood vessels as they pass inside the CNS of pigmented animals. Mast cells (MCs) which are granular and located especially prominently in surface leptomeninges of young mammals, and, in adults, are restricted to special parts of the CNS. Granular cells, referred to by me as neurolipomastocytoid cells (NLMs), are numerous, ubiquitously distributed, and seem to have morphological features in common with those of both MCs and macrophages. The exact identity of these NLMs still needs to established. One approach was to study the development of all three non-pigmented cells in the immature brain of the albino rat, especially at the ultrastructural level. This communication represents the findings regarding the MCs. The MCs appear to arise from a small mononuclear cell and to go through maturation stages identical to those described by others for MCs outside the CNS. The greatly flattened adjacent leptomeningeal cells are an easily identifiable entity especially due to their peculiar glycogen content in the young.     

The blood and lymph bed in Haversian bone

The structure of the components of the Haversian canals of the osseous tissue of the adult human mandible was studied in celloidin sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Fine blood vessels - mostly profiles of postcapillary venules, precapillaries and occasional capillaries - were demonstrated in osteons with Haversian canals 60-80 microns in diameter. Neither lymph capillaries nor vessels were observed, even in wider Haversian canals with larger blood vessels. The intraosseal spaces with rich blood vessel plexuses likewise did not contain any lymphatics with a characteristic form.     

A histochemical study of the innervation of cerebral blood vessels in the snake

Summary Dual innervation of snake cerebral blood vessels by adrenergic and cholinergic fibres was demonstrated with the use of histochemical methods. Although the nerve plexuses are somewhat less dense, the essential features of innervation of the blood vessels are similar to those of mammals with the exception that the adrenergic plexuses are more prominent than the cholinergic plexuses. The major arteries of the cerebral carotid system have a rich nerve supply. However, the innervation is less rich in the basilar and poor in the spinal (vertebral) arteries. Although the arteries supplying the right side of head are poorly developed, three pairs of arteries, cerebral carotids, ophthalmics and spinals, supply the snake brain. The carotids and ophthalmics are densely innervated and are accompanied by thick nerve bundles, suggesting that the nerves preferentially enter the skull along those arteries. Some parenchymal arterioles are also dually innervated. Connection between the brain parenchyma and intracerebral capillaries via both cholinergic and adrenergic fibres was observed. In addition cholinergic nerve fibres, connecting capillaries and the intramedullary nerve fibre bundles, were noticed. Capillary blood flow may be influenced by both adrenergic and cholinergic central neurons. The walls of capillaries also exhibit heavy acetylcholinesterase activity. This may indicate an important role for the capillary in the regulation of intracerebral blood flow.