Three-dimensional organization of the connective tissue fibers of the human pancreas: a scanning electron microscopic study of NaOH treated-tissues. 1987

O Ohtani
Department of Anatomy, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.

A method for scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of reticular fibers in their original shapes and locations is described. This technique was employed to demonstrate the three-dimensional organization of the reticular fibers of the human pancreas. The cellular elements were effectively removed by treatment of the tissue pieces with a 10% aqueous solution of NaOH for 3-4 days at room temperature. Thin layers of the reticular fibers surrounding the acini and ducts formed a three-dimensional interstitial compartment. The reticular fiber sheaths for the blood vessels coursed through the compartment. In the lobule, there were scattered round or oval capsules for the islets of Langerhans. The capsule also consisted of reticular fibers. Within the capsule, reticular fiber sheaths for accommodating islet capillaries, representing the pericapillary spaces, formed a three-dimensionally anastomosing network. The channels for the capillaries ensheathed by the reticular fibers in the islet were continuous with those in the surrounding exocrine pancreas; thus, the insulo-acinar portal system was confirmed to exist in the human pancreas. This study also maintains that the present method is useful for examining the microvascular organization of the islet.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007515 Islets of Langerhans Irregular microscopic structures consisting of cords of endocrine cells that are scattered throughout the PANCREAS among the exocrine acini. Each islet is surrounded by connective tissue fibers and penetrated by a network of capillaries. There are four major cell types. The most abundant beta cells (50-80%) secrete INSULIN. Alpha cells (5-20%) secrete GLUCAGON. PP cells (10-35%) secrete PANCREATIC POLYPEPTIDE. Delta cells (~5%) secrete SOMATOSTATIN. Islands of Langerhans,Islet Cells,Nesidioblasts,Pancreas, Endocrine,Pancreatic Islets,Cell, Islet,Cells, Islet,Endocrine Pancreas,Islet Cell,Islet, Pancreatic,Islets, Pancreatic,Langerhans Islands,Langerhans Islets,Nesidioblast,Pancreatic Islet
D008855 Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY. Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010179 Pancreas A nodular organ in the ABDOMEN that contains a mixture of ENDOCRINE GLANDS and EXOCRINE GLANDS. The small endocrine portion consists of the ISLETS OF LANGERHANS secreting a number of hormones into the blood stream. The large exocrine portion (EXOCRINE PANCREAS) is a compound acinar gland that secretes several digestive enzymes into the pancreatic ductal system that empties into the DUODENUM.
D003238 Connective Tissue Tissue that supports and binds other tissues. It consists of CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS embedded in a large amount of EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX. Connective Tissues,Tissue, Connective,Tissues, Connective
D005404 Fixatives Agents employed in the preparation of histologic or pathologic specimens for the purpose of maintaining the existing form and structure of all of the constituent elements. Great numbers of different agents are used; some are also decalcifying and hardening agents. They must quickly kill and coagulate living tissue. Fixative,Pickling Agents,Agents, Pickling
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D012972 Sodium Hydroxide A highly caustic substance that is used to neutralize acids and make sodium salts. (From Merck Index, 11th ed) Caustic Soda,Hydroxide, Sodium,Soda, Caustic

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