Peribiliary Portal System in the Monkey Liver as Evidenced by the Injection Replica Scanning Electron Microscope Method

Abstract

Scanning electron microscope study was carried out on the methyl methacrylate cast of the intrahepatic blood vessels of the monkey and it was unequivocally demonstrated that the peribiliary blood vascular plexus received the afferent vessels from the hepatic artery and emitted the efferent vessels directly draining into the hepatic sinusoids. The possible significance of this vascular route, which is isolated from the portal vein and refered to as the peribiliary portal system, is discussed. The efferent vessels connecting the plexus and the sinusoids may reveal some constrictions suggesting occurrence of a sphincter.