Abstract
The size and shape of red cells in the blood vessels of hamster cheek pouches have been studied by analysing electron micrographs of sections through the pouches. A mathematical analysis of the shapes obtained by randomly sectioning relaxed red cells led to a simple counting technique by which the size and shape of the cells could be quantitatively assessed. In the venules their mean size was: diameter 6.05 μm, maximum thickness 2.15 μm, minimum thickness 0.55 μm. In the microcirculation the relaxed cells were highly deformed, probably into cups.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.