RESUMO
Objective To demonstrate the morphology,distribution and ultrastructure of intersti- tial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the mouse gallbladder.Methods CD1 mice gallbladder tissue was stained with methylene blue for immunohistochemical examination by confocal microscopy and transmission elec- tron microscopy.Results The results revealed a dark blue network of ICC in the gallbladder.ICC were spindle-shaped,with thin and long processes in two poles.They were distributed in the all layers of the gall bladder wall.The ICC that had typical ultrastructure were adjacent to the smooth muscle and nerve cells. Conclusions Spindle-shaped ICC are present as a network structure in the gallbladder,which may act as slow wave pacemaker cells and have a major role in the transmission of signals from neurons to smooth muscle cells.