The microscopic vascular pattern of the ruminal wall in Ovis aries

Abstract

The microscopic vascular pattern of the ruminal wall of the sheep was studied by means of an India ink injection method followed by clarification in methyl salicylate. Both the epithelium and the tunica muscularis receive blood from a submucosal arterial plexus. Venules arise from the lower regions or bases of the papillae as well as from an inter-muscular plexus. These join the submucosal venous plexus. The sub-epithelial capillary flow is from the tips of the papillae toward their bases. Submucosal arterio-venous anastomoses were identified in serial sections.