Color Atlas of Adult Xenopus Laevis : Microvasculature of Tissues and Organs

This atlas offers stunning color electron scanning micrographs and exceptional light microscopy pictures of capillaries, vessels and diverse histomorphological tissues and organs of Xenopus laevis . The model organisms Xenopus laevis serves to study basic biological questions related to growth, differentiation, maturation, and regression of cells, tissues and organs. Xenopus and human genomes have long stretches of gene collinearity, and 79% of identified human disease genes have a verified ortholog in Xenopus . Thus, this atlas will be a powerful tool for anatomists, morphologists, histologists and physiologists interested in normal and pathologically altered organs and tissue; and to all researchers, who wish to learn more about the microvascular anatomy of this vertebrate model organism. Preface Acknowledgments Contents About the Authors Abbreviations 1: Introduction References 2: Materials and Methods 2.1 Animals 2.2 Histomorphology (Light Microscopy) 2.3 Vascular Corrosion Casting 2.4 Scanning Electron Microscopy 2.5 Color-Coding of Arterial and Venous Vessels in SEM Micrographs 2.6 Identification of Cast (Replicated) Vascular Structures 2.6.1 Vessel Nature (Arterial, Venous, and Capillary/Sinusoid) 2.6.2 Flow Governing Structures 2.6.2.1 Venous Valves 2.6.2.2 Flow Dividers 2.6.2.3 Intra-arterial Cushions (Intimal Cushions) 2.6.2.4 Sphincters 2.6.2.5 Dilatations and Outbulgings 2.6.3 Signs of Sprouting and Non-sprouting (Intussusceptive Microvascular Growth) Angiogenesis 2.6.3.1 Sprouting Angiogenesis 2.6.3.2 Non-sprouting Angiogenesis 2.6.4 Artifacts 2.6.4.1 Extravasations (Extravasates, Evasates) 2.6.4.2 Incomplete Fillings 2.6.4.3 Broken Vessels 2.6.4.4 Other Structural Elements of Blood Vessels Imprinted on the Surface of Vascular Casts 2.6.4.4.1 Smooth Muscle Cells of the Vessel Media 2.6.4.4.2 Holes at the Surface of Vascular Casts 2.7 Analyses of Vascular Networks 2.7.1 Vessel Segments 2.7.2 Branchings and Mergings (Confluences) 2.7.3 Anastomoses References 3: Microvasculature of Xenopus Tissues and Organs 3.1 Integument 3.1.1 Histomorphology 3.1.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.2 Central Nervous System and Sensory Organs 3.2.1 Brain and Spinal Cord 3.2.1.1 Histomorphology 3.2.1.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.2.2 Eyes 3.2.2.1 Histomorphology 3.2.2.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.2.3 Olfactory and Accessory Olfactory (Vomeronasal) Organs 3.2.3.1 Olfactory Organs 3.2.3.1.1 Histomorphology 3.2.3.1.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.2.3.2 Vomeronasal Organs 3.2.3.2.1 Histomorphology 3.2.3.2.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.2.4 Lateral Line Organs 3.2.4.1 Histomorphology 3.2.4.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.2.5 Carotid Labyrinths 3.2.5.1 Histomorphology 3.2.5.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.3 Respiratory Organs 3.3.1 Trachea 3.3.1.1 Histomorphology 3.3.1.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.3.2 Bronchi 3.3.2.1 Histomorphology 3.3.2.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.3.3 Lungs 3.3.3.1 Histomorphology 3.3.3.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.3.4 Integument (See Sect. 3.1) 3.4 Digestive Organs 3.4.1 Maxillary Teeth 3.4.1.1 Vascular Anatomy 3.4.2 Esophagus 3.4.2.1 Histomorphology 3.4.2.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.4.3 Stomach 3.4.3.1 Histomorphology 3.4.3.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.4.4 Small Intestine 3.4.4.1 Histomorphology 3.4.4.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.4.5 Large Intestine 3.4.5.1 Histomorphology 3.4.5.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.4.6 Liver 3.4.6.1 Histomorphology 3.4.6.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.4.6.2.1 Hepatic Portal Vein 3.4.6.2.2 Hepatic Artery 3.4.7 Gallbladder 3.4.7.1 Histomorphology 3.4.7.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.4.8 Pancreas 3.4.8.1 Histomorphology 3.4.8.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.4.9 Bile Ducts and Pancreatic Ducts 3.4.9.1 Histomorphology 3.4.9.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.5 Excretory Organs 3.5.1 Kidneys 3.5.1.1 Histomorphology 3.5.1.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.5.2 Urinary Bladder 3.5.2.1 Histomorphology 3.5.2.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.6 Reproductive Organs 3.6.1 Ovaries 3.6.1.1 Histomorphology 3.6.1.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.6.2 Oviducts 3.6.2.1 Histomorphology 3.6.2.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.6.3 Testes 3.6.3.1 Histomorphology 3.6.3.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.7 Lymphatic Organs 3.7.1 Spleen 3.7.1.1 Histomorphology 3.7.1.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.8 Endocrine Organs 3.8.1 Hypophysis 3.8.1.1 Histomorphology 3.8.1.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.8.1.2.1 Arterial Supply 3.8.1.2.2 Venous Supply 3.8.1.2.3 Venous Drainage 3.8.2 Epiphysis 3.8.2.1 Histomorphology 3.8.2.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.8.3 Thyroid Glands 3.8.3.1 Histomorphology 3.8.3.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.8.4 Islets of Langerhans 3.8.4.1 Histomorphology 3.8.4.2 Vascular Anatomy 3.8.5 Gonads (See Sects. 3.6.1 and 3.6.3) References