DISSECTING MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF VILLOUS MORPHOLOGY IN HUMAN NORMAL DUODENAL EPITHELIUM

Abstract

Duodenal mucosa obtained by duodenoscopic biopsy was examined in 250 normal human control. Classification of villous shape was made and size of the villi was measured under dissecting microscope. Results obtained were summarized as follows;
The villous shape was classified finger shaped, leaf shaped, ridge shaped, and convoluted villi. The leaf shaped and ridge shaped villi were most frequently observed in all portion of the duodenum, and covoluted villi were more frequently observed in the bulb than in other duodenal portion. Villous height was significantly lower in the bulb than in other portion. Villous width was similar among different portion of the duodenum. The finger shaped villi of both the bulb and the second portion were more frequently observed in the group of over 70 years old men than younger age group, and the villous height of the bulb was significantly heigher in the former group, too.
In conclusion, the differences of the mucosal structure (Villous shape and size) of normal human duodenum were found among different portion and age of the duodenum though the functional significance related to these differences remains to be elucidated.