Scanning electron microscopy of pulmonary alveolar capillary vessels

The pattern of subepithelial vessels in pulmonary alveoli of rabbits has been studied using scanning electron microscopy. Alveolar capillaries form a network of interconnecting vascular rings, most of which surround the periphery of type II cells of the alveolar epithelium. Individual capillaries co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Thorax 1973-03, Vol.28 (2), p.222-227
Main Authors: Alexander, I. G. S., Ritchie, B. C., Maloney, J. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Capillaries - cytology
Epithelial Cells
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Pulmonary Alveoli - blood supply
Pulmonary Alveoli - cytology
Rabbits
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Summary:The pattern of subepithelial vessels in pulmonary alveoli of rabbits has been studied using scanning electron microscopy. Alveolar capillaries form a network of interconnecting vascular rings, most of which surround the periphery of type II cells of the alveolar epithelium. Individual capillaries contributing to the formation of adjacent rings follow a corrugated course with angulations located on the sites of junction with other capillaries completing the rings; the capillaries are covered by type I epithelial cells which also extend into and form the alveolar lining at the peripheral area of the interstices of the capillary network. Single type II cells form the alveolar lining at the centre of vascular rings. The pattern of pulmonary alveolar capillaries revealed by scanning electron microscopy is thus similar to that postulated by Weibel (1963) on the basis of transmission microscopic studies.
ISSN:0040-6376
1468-3296
DOI:10.1136/thx.28.2.222