NOMENCLATURE, FILLING AND ANGIOARCHITECTURE OF LYMPH VESSELS IN ORGANS - SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF THE STOMACH OF THE TURTLE PSEUDEMYS-SCRIPTA ELEGANS USING DIFFERENT INJECTION METHODS

The gastric lymph vessel network of Pseudemys scripta elegans shows al l the characteristics of initial lymphatics. A differentiation of init ial lymphatics in lymphatic capillaries and pre-collectors is not poss ible in the turtle. The scanning electron microscopic examination show s that ultrastructural analysis of initial lymphatics is possible afte r manual subserous injection of glutaraldehyde or application with the vacuum chamber. In the stomach of the turtle all characteristics of i nitial lymphatics (interendothelial openings, subendothelial filaments , connective tissue trabeculae and endothelial bridges) could be demon strated. Only valves were absent. The situation is similar in mammals including man. The most important filling phenomenon is a horizontal s preading of fluid in the lymphatics.