Functioning Arteriovenous Anastomoses in the Stomach and Duodenum

Abstract
Arteriovenous anastomoses of about 140 [mu] in diameter were demonstrated previously by anatomical techniques in the submucosa of the stomach. In order to demonstrate the presence of functioning arteriovenous shunts in the living animal, glass spheres were introduced into the aorta of lightly anesthetized dogs and blood was collected from veins draining the stomach and duodenum. The venous blood contained spheres of maximum diameters of 100-180 [mu] in all instances, demonstrating the existence of functioning shunts within the stomach and duodenum in the living state.