ABSTRACT
The normal rabbit pancreas was treated with DMSO freeze-cracking method and observed by scanning electron microscope, with special reference to examine the ultrastructure of pancreatic exocrine portion.The pancreatic acinus was composed of five to six pyramidal acinar cells around the lumen. A few short microvilli were present at the apex of each acinar cell. The spherical nucleus was located in the basal region, with one to three nucleoli.Numerous rough surfaced endoplasmic reticula were found in the basal region of acinar cells arranged either in longitudinal arrays, or concentrically. Mitochondria were located between rough surfaced endoplasmic reticula. The rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum may extend into supranuclear portion where well-developed Golgi apparatus and numerous spherical zymogen granules were situated.