The outer surface morphology of blood vessels as revealed in scanning electron microscopy in resin cast, non-corroded tissue specimens.

In Mercox-filled, non-corroded tissue the blood microvessels maintain the tubular shape they have in the intact circulation. Preparations treated in this manner are especially suited to reveal the fine structural features of the outer vascular wall and its relationship to the extravascular space in SEM. The outer wall morphology of small arteries, arterioles, true capillaries, and sinusoids is demonstrated in mesentery, skeletal muscle, pancreas, liver, and kidney of the rat. In fractured specimens of cast liver tissue the outer sinusoidal wall and the adjacent lacuna surface can be well visualized from the view of the space of Dissé. In kidney, the glomerular filtration membrane becomes accessible from the sight of the urinary space. This technical approach may contribute to improve the knowledge of a special field of vascular wall research to which little attention has previously been paid.