3 research outputs found
Fine reconstruction of the pancreatic ductular system at the onset of pancreatitis
The three-dimensional structure of the
pancreatic ductular system (from the intercalated duct to
the intercellular secretory canaliculus) is controversial
and unclear. The aim of this study is to reveal the threedimensional
structure of the pancreatic ductular sysytem
at the onset of pancreatitis. One day following rat
pancreatic duct ligation, dilated lumina from the
pancreatic ductular system were reconstructed by light
microscopic and scanning electron microscopic
examination of pancreatic tissue serial sections. The
existence of the intra-acinar duct, which is formed only
by centroacinar cells and interconnects the adjacent
central lumina in an acinus, was demonstrated. The
intercellular secretory canaliculi, which are the terminal
parts of the pancreatic ductular system, anastomose and
end blindly in the intercellular space located between
adjacent lateral surfaces of the acinar cells. The
intercalated ducts, the intra-acinar ducts, the central
lumina, and the intercellular secretory canaliculi are
arranged together in a complex connecting and
branching system. However, there were no anastomoses
found among the central lumina or acini