THE ROLE OF FENESTRATED VESSELS FOR THE SECRETORY PROCESS IN THE NASAL-MUCOSA - A HISTOLOGICAL AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY IN THE RABBIT
G. Grevers, THE ROLE OF FENESTRATED VESSELS FOR THE SECRETORY PROCESS IN THE NASAL-MUCOSA - A HISTOLOGICAL AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY IN THE RABBIT, The Laryngoscope, 103(11), 1993, pp. 1255-1258
Both nasal glands and nasal vessels are supposed to be responsible for
the humidification of inhaled air. After previous studies on the vasc
ulature of the nasal septal mucosa in the rabbit, we examined vessels
of the anterior concha in order to find a morphological equivalent to
explain the role of endonasal vasculature in the secretory process of
this tissue. The main findings of our study include the detection of f
enestrated endothelial walls of both capillaries and venous sinuses lo
cated underneath and directly adjacent to the basal cell layers of the
epithelium. The same phenomenon-fenestrated vessels underneath the ep
ithelium with the fenestrated parts facing the epithelial cells - has
been described in other parts of the body and has been called ''polar
differentiation.'' In accordance with the interpretations of other aut
hors, we conclude that these features are responsible for the regulati
on of endonasal fluid exchange.