THE SPLENIC MICROVASCULATURE OF THE RED-EARED TURTLE (CHRYSEMYS-SCRIPTA-ELEGANS) - A STUDY CONCERNING THE QUESTION WHETHER THE CIRCULATION IS ANATOMICALLY OPEN OR CLOSED
R. Blumer et al., THE SPLENIC MICROVASCULATURE OF THE RED-EARED TURTLE (CHRYSEMYS-SCRIPTA-ELEGANS) - A STUDY CONCERNING THE QUESTION WHETHER THE CIRCULATION IS ANATOMICALLY OPEN OR CLOSED, Scanning microscopy, 7(1), 1993, pp. 273-278
The splenic microvasculature of the turtle Chrysemys scripta elegans w
as studied by means of scanning electron microscopy of vascular corros
ion casts and critical point dried tissue. In addition light- and tran
smission electron microscopic investigations were carried out. Within
the organ the arteries are surrounded by periarterial lymphoid sheaths
. The majority of the arterial capillaries, which emerge from these ce
ntral arteries have open endings within the reticular meshwork of the
red pulp. Approximately 10% of the capillaries directly connect with t
he venous origins. Since these venous capillaries of C. scripta elegan
s resemble those of nonsinusal mammalian spleens we termed them pulp v
enules. Several blood cells were seen in passage through the fenestrae
of the pulpvenules. The blood cells overcome these wall pores either
unimpeded or a striking deformation of the passing cell occurs. In the
subcapsular region of the organ radially arranged venous vessels are
observed, which drain into a collecting vein.