A scanning electron microscopy morphometric study of the rabbit peritoneal surface.

Rabbit peritoneum was studied by SEM to obtain information and statistically meaningful morphometric data of different sites of visceral and parietal peritoneum and to verify the existence of "stomata." Samples were fixed by intraperitoneal infusion of glutaraldehyde, and were photographed by SEM under standard conditions. Morphometric data were obtained by Kontron MOP Videoplan. Variable cell surface patterns were present even within limited areas; however, "stomata" were not observed. The heterogeneity of data obtained can be related to the dynamism of mesothelial cell activity and to the different motilities of the underlying organs.