The morphological changes in the pika ampulla coli, especially the net-arranged folds, from the late fetal stage to the adult stage were examined by the naked eye, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
At 25 days of gestation, the ampulla coli could already be discerned from the cecum and the proximal colon by the lack of haustra. In addition to the well-developed muscular coat, the ampulla coli at this stage was provided with a number of short columnar viii. Although the mucosal surface of the ampulla coli was filled with villi until 3 days after birth, a drastic change occurred at 5 days. That is, the villi gathered together at regular intervals and, as a result, the ampulla coli mucosa revealed a net-arranged appearance at 5 days. At 10 days, the villi disappeared completely and net-arranged folds, derived from the gathered villi at 5days, covered the ampulla coli mucosa. After 15 days, small villus-like protrusions on the lateral side of the folds developed secondarily and gradually grew in height in accordance with age. At the adult stage, the ampulla coli was overspread with net-arranged folds equipped with small villus-like protrusions.
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