The investigation of small vessel anatomy by scanning electron microscopy of resin casts. A description of the technique and examples of its use in the study of the microvasculature of the peritoneum and bile duct wall.

Scanning electron microscopy of microvascular resin casts has revolutionised the study of small blood vessel anatomy in various animals. The present report is the first in which the technique has been used to study capillary networks in man and baboon. The microvasculature of human visceral peritoneum has been described for the first time and the small vessels within the bile duct wall of the baboon have been demonstrated using stereo pairs. The technique is a valuable tool that deserves wider application in both human and animal anatomical research.