The vascular architecture of human fetal oviduct: a scanning electron microscopic study of corrosion casts.
Vascular architecture was investigated, in 18-21 week old human fetuses, for the first time with the use of corrosion casting and scanning electron microscopy, which offer high resolution and three-dimensional images of the vascular networks. The general arrangement of large vessels was similar to that described for the mature oviduct; however, the intramural vasculature of the muscular layer and mucosal folds consisted predominantly of capillary and sinusoidal networks. A characteristic feature of the fetal oviduct was a prominent sub-serosal venous plexus, which was most extensive in the isthmic segment. The relatively low degree of differentiation found in the fetal oviduct vasculature seems to reflect its functional immaturity.
Pityński
K
K
Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland.
Litwin
J A
JA
Nowogrodzka-Zagórska
M
M
Gorczyca
J
J
Miodoński
A J
AJ
D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology; D016319:Corrosion Casting; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology