MICROVASCULAR ARCHITECTURE OF THE RAT OVIDUCT / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Microvascular architecture of the oviduct was observed by SEM in 20 adult female Wistar rats which were not pregnant. The oviduct was supplied by 2-4 tubal branches (0.2-0.3mm in diameter) which were derived from the ovarian artery. The tubal branches entered the wall of oviduct and divided into numerous meandering arterioles (0.02-0.07mm in diameter). Intrinsic microvasculature of the oviduct might be divided into three layers (1) the subserosal vascular plexus which appeared tortuous and formed reticulate anastomosis, (2) a parallel branching vasculature in the muscle coat, and (3) the subepithelial capillary network. The latter arised from the arterioles which ramified terminally near the apex of mucosal folds and broke up into very dense capillaries. Subepithelial capillary density in the fimbriae was markedly higher than that in the isthmus and uterine part. Intrinsic venules of oviduct were less tortuous and less closely accompanied with the arterioles. In mesoviduct, veins were in closely accompanied with the corresponding arteries. In the wall of oviduct, some capillaries and venules drained to the small veins directly and vertically.