Endothelial projections as revealed by scanning electron microscopy.
Scanning electron micrographs of the endothelium of the pulmonary artery reveal that the entire surface is covered by a meshwork of irregular projections which vastly increase the surface area. The size and density of the projections suggest that they may function to direct an eddying flow of plasma along the endothelial surface.
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D003593:Cytoplasm; D004285:Dogs; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008928:Mitochondria; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000166:cytology*; D012270:Ribosomes