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.

Auteur

Alois Lametschwandtner (PhD) is a retired Professor of the University of Salzburg, Austria. He is an expert in scanning electron microscopy of vascular casts and animal histology and physiology. Bernd Minnich (PhD) is Professor at the University of Salzburg, Austria. His research focuses on vascular biology, electron microscopy and biostatistics.

Contenu

1 Introduction 2 Materials and Methods 2.1. Animals 2.2. Histomorphology (Light microscopy) 2.3. Vascular corrosion casting 2.4. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) 2.5. Color-coding of arterial and venous vessels in SEM micrographs 2.6. Identification of 2.6.1. Vessel nature (arterial, venous, capillary/sinusoid), 2.6.2. Flow governing structures (venous valves, flow dividers, intra-arterial cushions, sphincters, dilatations and outbulgings), 2.6.3. Signs of sprouting and non-sprouting (intussusceptive microvascular growth) angiogenesis 2.6.4. Artifacts in vascular corrosion casts 2.7. Elements building vascular networks 2.7.1. Vessel segments 2.7.2. Branchings and mergings 2.7.3. Anastomoses 3 Microvasculature of Xenopus Tissues and Organs3.1. Integument 3.2. Central nervous system and sensory organs 3.2.1. Brain and spinal cord 3.2.2. Eyes 3.2.3. Olfactory organs 3.2.4. Lateral line organs 3.2.5. Carotid labyrinths 3.3. Respiratory organs 3.3.1. Trachea 3.3.2. Bronchus 3.3.3. Lung 3.3.4. Integument 3.4. Digestive organs and associated glands and structures 3.4.1. Maxillary teeth 3.4.2. Esophagus 3.4.3. Stomach 3.4.4. Small Intestine 3.4.5. Large Intestine 3.4.6. Liver 3.4.7. Gall bladder 3.4.8. Pancreas (exocrine portion) 3.4.9. Bile ducts and pancreatic ducts 3.5. Excretory organs 3.5.1. Kidney 3.5.2. Urinary bladder 3.6. Reproductive organs 3.6.1. Ovary 3.6.2. Oviduct 3.6.3. Testis 3.7. Lymphatic organs 3.7.1. Spleen 3.8. Endocrine organs 3.8.1. Hypophysis (Pituitary gland) 3.8.2. Epiphysis (Pineal gland) 3.8.3. Thyroid glands 3.8.4 Pancreas (islets of Langerhans) 3.8.5. Ovary 3.8.6. Testes Appendix List of Abbreviations