ARRANGEMENT OF BLOOD-VESSELS AND THEIR RELATION WITH ADRENERGIC NERVES IN RAT MESENTERY

Abstract

The principal arteries of the mesentery of the small intestine in the rat arise as 14-19 branches of the superior mesenteric artery. In addition to supplying the intestine, they give rise to a series of small arteries which are the first components of the mesenteric microvasculature. Branching from the small arteries are the terminal arterioles, which in turn provide the precapillary arterioles (metarterioles and precapillary sphincters). The microvasculature drains into the principal mesenteric veins through collecting venules and small veins. Networks of adrenergic axons innervate the superior mesenteric artery and vein, the principal arteries and veins, the small arteries and the terminal..