A cilia-bearing cell system in the intrahepatic bile ductules of the rat.
A scanning electron microscopic investigation of the luminal surface of the intrahepatic bile ducts of the rat has been performed using tissue prepared by critical point drying. Results of these studies have demonstrated that intrahepatic bile ducts of the rat are composed of cells, the luminal surface of which contains either microvilli or numerous long cilia. It was suggested that these cilia play an important role in tissue function, particularly in the propulsion of hepatic bile.
D000818:Animals; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002923:Cilia / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats