Abstract
Summary
Smooth muscles in bovine mesenteric lymphatics were well-developed and arranged in three layers, i.e., the internal longitudinal, intermediate circumferential, and external longitudinal. The outermost one was much thicker than the other two. Blood capillaries were found within the smooth muscle layers as well as in the ad-ventitia. These blood capillaries may be essential for maintaining vigorous rhythmic contractions of the lymphatic smooth muscles which act as a driving force for the propulsion of lymph. The presence of numerous mitochondria and glycogen granules seemed to reflect a high metabolic activity of the smooth muscle cells.
The authors are indebted to Dr. T. Suganuma and Mr. R. Ichikawa for their technical advice and assistance.
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