Spleens of the dog and rat were thoroughly washed with Ringer solution through the lienal artery and then perfused with buffered glutaraldehyde. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation was made on the cut surfaces of the red pulp. Sections of resin embedded tissues of the same specimens were observed under the transmission electron microscope (TEM).
1. The splenic sinus of the dog and rat was lined by a perforated lattice formed by rod-like lining cells and their cytoplasmic processes as observed in the rabbit (MIYOSHI, FUJITA and TOKUNAGA, 1970), though distinct species variations in the pattern of the lattice were recognized.
2. A transiting sinus lacking in perforations was found by the SEM to intervene between the sinus and the trabecular vein.
3. The Billroth cord was a labyrinthic meshwork of thin reticular cell processes under the SEM. TEM observation revealed reticular fibers either ensheathed or sandwiched by reticular cell processes.
4. The reticular cells were attached to the walls of the vein and the sinus by their thin cytoplasmic processes ending in a sole-like expansion.
5. On the external surface of the sinus, thin cytoplasmic processes from the reticular cell feet emerged mainly transversely to the lining cells. Every side bridge of the lining cells was thus backed by a reticular cell process. The ring fibers sandwiched by both cellular elements could be seen only by the TEM.
6. Large, spherical macrophages were found by the SEM dispersed in the cordal spaces and fixed by some reticular fibers. One type of macrophage was covered by bubble-like processses, while another by foliate ones.
7. The TEM observation revealed lysosomes of fine granular content in the former type of macrophage, and large, dense granules of lysosomal nature and large ingested cell debris in the latter.
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