The fine structure of endothelial cells of toad arteries

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Abstract
The vascular endothelia of the aortic, iliac and kidney arteries of the toad Bufo arenarumH. and the frog Leptodactylus chaquensis were studied with the electron microscope. The shape and size of the endothelial cells appear to depend upon whether the internal elastic membrane is stretched or contracted. These cells present the following characteristics: (1) an elongated and folded nucleus, (2) large bundles of oriented filaments, (3) acid phosphatase‐positive micropinocytotic vesicles, (4) small, dense, spherical granules surrounded by a single membrane. These cytoplasmic granules, also studied by histochemical techniques, are of unknown nature and function.