Corrosion casts of lymphatics.
After direct injection of Mercox into the thyroid parenchyma we obtained the corrosion casts of lymphatics to be observed by scanning electron microscopy. It seems reasonable to deduce from the following points that these corrosion casts were of the lymphatic system: 1) variable size of columnar vessels, 2) their three-dimensional anastomoses, 3) occurrence of blind endings, 4) V-shaped reliefs on parts of the columns, certainly indicative of valves, 5) bead-like structures formed by closure of valves, 6) depressions and surrounding saw-toothed figures on the surfaces of the casts, probably corresponding to the nuclei and boundaries of endothelial cells. The method described in this study seems useful in the study of the structures and changes of lymphatics in various organs.
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004285:Dogs; D004727:Endothelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006652:Histological Techniques; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000648:ultrastructure