1975 Volume 72 Issue 8 Pages 975-986
Three dimentional structures of the villi and the surfaces of epithelial cells of human duodenal mucosa were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).
The specimens obtained by biopsy were treated with 4% pronase in phosphate buffer and then treated with 4% hyaluronidase in the buffer, thereafter, they were fixed with revised tannin-osmium method of Murakami (1974). After critical point drying the specimens were thin coated by Au-Paradium. The samples were examined with a SEM of Hitachi SSM-2 type.
At low magnification, most villi were ridges of moderate length, occasionally leaf shaped villi were observed. On the surface of individual villus there were irregular shallow grooves and numerous pits representing mouths of goblet cells. At higher magnification the epithelial cells became clearly visible. On the surfaces of columnar absorbtive cells numerous microvilli appearing to be rod-shaped structures projected into the lumen. Mouths of goblet cells secreting mucous granules were also observed. On the cut surface of the villi three dimentional structure of thin basement membrane, infiltrating cells and capillaries were observed. The lateral surfaces of epithelial cells were irregular because of projections which could be the remnants of intercellular bridges. On the cut surface of one absorbtive cell there were small holes representing vesicles observed by transmission electron microscope.
Nippon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi
Nippon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi Kou
