Fine structrual relation between pancreatic excretory ductules and intercellular spaces.

Horse-radish peroxidase injected into the femoral vein of intact rats, or infused at 30 cm H2o pressure into the main pancreatic duct of intact dogs, entered easily the interstitial spaces surrounding acini and acinar cells. The latter are interconnected at their luminal segments by zonulae occuldentes. These junctions form a barrier to tracer penetrating from the interstituim towards the lumen of terminal ductules. However, the intraductally infused peroxidase entered the interstitial spaces, probably through the pressure injured acinar cells, as did colloidal carbon particles when infused intraductally.