ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Islets of Langerhans
;
Microangioarchitecture
;
Corrosion casts
;
Scanning electron microscopy
;
Naja naja, Vipera russelli, Echis carinatus (Serpentes)
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Due to a decided lack in the literature of reports on the microangioarchitecture of the pancreas of snakes, an analysis was performed in three different species of two different ophidian families with the use of cast preparations and complementary scanning electron microscopy. The vascular architecture reflects the lobular substructure of the pancreas; the organ is supplied by branches of the superior mesentric artery. Coiled lobular arteries and arterioles continue into a meshwork of capillaries. Dilated capillaries of the endocrine portion of the pancreas are an integral component of this fine capillary network. A few very small capillaries establish a connection between the endocrine and the exocrine pancreas. The other capillaries drain into venules, which ultimately join their respective veins. No interspecific differences were noted in the vascularization of the pancreas of the three ophidian species examined. The present results suggest the existence of arterio-venous anastomoses and speak against the presence of a portal system, but establish a feed-forward capillary connection from the endocrine to the exocrine component of the ophidian pancreas.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00678714
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