Articles

TOPOGRAPHIC RELATIONS OF LYMPHATIC ENDOTHELIAL CELLS IN THE INITIAL LYMPHATIC OF THE INTESTINAL VILLUS

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Abstract

The appearances of the joint areas: where the lymphatic endothelial cells are in juxtaposition with one another in the initial lymphatic of the intestinal villus are described. The joint areas could be grouped into two main categories: simple valve-like and complicated. In the former group there were open, half-open and closed joint areas. The number of simple valves tended to increase during the distension of the lymphatic, whereas the complicated areas were numerous in compressed lymphatics. The joint areas were analysed by serial sectioning and with the successive sections their appearance was found to change from simple to complicated and vice versa. A few series of sections showed a change from a simple valve to a complicated one and to a simple one again. During this change in appearance the overlapping areas of the neighbouring endothelial cells changed their position in relation to one other and to the lumen of the lymphatic. So the originally abluminal cell was later found to be situated on the luminal side and vice versa. The change of sides seemed to occur at the complicated joint areas. The endothelial cells in the wall appeared to form large interdigitating cytoplasmic extensions between which the various types of joint areas were formed. The complicated joint areas with tight junction seemed to serve as points for effective fixing the endothelial cells together. The simple joint area between these, in addition to fixing cells together, produced valves through which interstitial fluid may drain into the lymphatic.

How to Cite:

Collan, Y. & Kalima, T., (1974) “TOPOGRAPHIC RELATIONS OF LYMPHATIC ENDOTHELIAL CELLS IN THE INITIAL LYMPHATIC OF THE INTESTINAL VILLUS”, Lymphology 7(4), 175-184.