The effect of hibernation on the morphology and histochemistry of the intestine of the greater mouse-eared bat,Myotis myotis

Seasonal variations in morphometry and histochemistry of the intestine have been examined in the active and hibernating greater mouse-eared bat, Myotis myotis, using histological and histochemical techniques. The results of morphometric analyses indicated that hibernation affected the villus height, villus width, crypt depth and crypt width of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Histochemical analysis showed that goblet cells of the small and large intestine contain acidic and neutral mucosubstances. According to the results obtained with Alcian Blue (pH 5.8)/PAS staining, hyaluronic acid is dominant in the goblet cells of the small and large intestine during both the hibernation and active periods. Chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate, which are sulfated GAGs, were dominant, and very little heparan sulfate, heparin and keratan sulfate were present. Moreover, sulfated glycoproteins were also detected in the goblet cells of the small intestine in the active animals. The present study demonstrates that hibernation altered the examined morphometric and histochemical parameters of the intestine.     

Local administration of 2% trimecaine affects the content of fucosylated glycoconjugates in goblet cells in rabbit tracheal epithelium

The proportion of fucosylated glycoconjugate-containing rabbit tracheal goblet cells after intratracheal application of trimecaine was studied to evaluate its possible unfavourable effects. This lapine model is comparable with diagnostic findings in humans because airway epithelia in humans and rabbits are similar; tracheal epithelium is also practically identical to bronchial epithelium in both species. Local trimecaine anaesthesia caused a proportional decrease in percentage of the tracheal goblet cells containing both alpha(1-2)- and alpha(1-6)-, alpha(1-3)- and alpha(1-4)-fucosylated glycoconjugates as revealed 10 min postexposure using lectin histochemistry. In previous studies, only mild ultrastructural damage to the airway's epithelium was revealed, but a conspicuous decrease in sialylated glycoconjugate-containing tracheal goblet cells and the dominance of acidic sulphated glycoconjugates were observed as after-effects of the same treatment. Glycoconjugate changes can influence the inner environment of airways (e.g. viscoelastic properties of the airways' mucus and mucosal barrier functions) and thus the patient's defence barriers in airways may be weakened. Concurrently, the histochemical properties of goblet cells can be altered in bronchoscopic specimens. Since trimecaine is widely used as local anaesthesia in airways in bronchoscopy, it is necessary to heed these aforementioned effects.     

Lectin Binding Patterns in Normal Liver, Chronic Active Hepatitis, Liver Cirrhosis, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma An Immunohistochemical and Immunoelectron Microscopic Study

We studied the binding patterns of 14 lectins in human normal and cirrhotic liver (LC) tissues and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) using the ABC method. Lectins were divided into 4 groups according to their binding patterns in normal tissues: (A) PHA, MPA, LcH, RCA I, and WGA, which bound to hepatocytes and all three types of sinusoidal cells; (B) BPA, GS-I, PNA, and SBA, which bound to Kupffer cells and endothelia of interlobular arteries and veins and bile duct epithelia in the portal tract, but not to hepatocytes; (C) UEA-I, which bound only to endothelia of interlobular arteries and veins and bile duct epithelia in the portal tract; (D) LBA, Lotus, LPA, and SJA, which showed no binding. Thus group B lectins may be useful markers of Kupffer cells. Only electron microscopic examination revealed the precise binding sites of lectins in sinusoidal cells and hepatocytes. Hepatocyte cell surface polarities demonstrated by lectin binding in LC and HCC were different from those in the normal liver. The binding pattern of PHA to LC hepatocytes changed from a membranous to both a membranous and a cytoplasmic pattern, and that of LcH to HCC cells changed to dot-like staining in the cytoplasm. These changes of polarities in LC and HCC might be caused by changes in the distribution of lectin binding carbohydrates or by the altered glycosylation of glycoconjugates. Acta Pathol Jpn 42: 566–572, 1992.     

Location and distribution of a receptor for the 987P pilus of Escherichia coli in small intestines.

Frozen sections of rabbit or pig small intestines were stained with fluorescein-labeled antibody specific for the 987P receptor isolated from adult rabbit small intestines. The 987P receptor was present along the entire villous surface and in goblet cells in adult rabbits, but only in goblet cells in infant rabbits. In adult rabbits, the receptor was distributed equally in the jejunum and the ileum. Material antigenically similar to the rabbit 987P receptor was demonstrated in goblet cells in neonatal piglet ileum.     

Origin,differentiation and renewal of the four main epithelial cell types in the mouse small intestine II. Mucous cells

The mucous cell population of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was investigated in the light and electron microscopes with the help of radioautography in mice sacrificed at various times after single injection or continuous infusion of ³H-thymidine. Mucous cells are characterized by globules of mucus and by dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Two subgroups of mucous cells, one called common and the other granular, may be identified. The granular mucous cells differ from the common ones by the presence of small dense granules embedded within the mucous globules. Each subgroup is further divided into immature oligomucous cells containing few mucous globules, and mature goblet cells with a large accumulation of mucous globules. Common and granular oligomucous cells are found exclusively in the crypt, mainly within the lower mid-crypt, whereas the corresponding two types of goblet cells are present in the upper part of the crypts and in the lower part of the villi. Only common mucous cells are observed in the upper part of the villi. The two types of oligomucous cells, but not goblet cells, have the ability to take up ³H-thymidine and divide. Electron microscopic radioautography demonstrates that, as oligomucous cells migrate upwards, they transform into goblet cells. The latter then migrate to the villus epithelium. In the case of granular mucous cells, this migration is associated with a gradual loss of the characteristic dense granules, so that the granular goblet cells reaching the upper part of the villi become common goblet cells. The goblet cells in the villus epithelium, regardless of their origin, ascend towards the villus tips where they are lost through the extrusion zones. The turnover time of common mucous cells is about three days, as for columnar cells; and that of granular mucous cells, somewhat shorter. In both cases, the divisions of oligomucous cells account only for the production of about half the mucous cells present. Hence, the other half must be derived from precursors other than oligomucous cells. Since a few crypt-base columnar cells contain the odd mucous globule, they are suspected of being the precursors of the two types of oligomucous cells and, through them, of the entire mucous cell population.     

Lectin binding patterns in normal liver, chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. An immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic study.

We studied the binding patterns of 14 lectins in human normal and cirrhotic liver (LC) tissues and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) using the ABC method. Lectins were divided into 4 groups according to their binding patterns in normal tissues: (A) PHA, MPA, LcH, RCA-I, and WGA, which bound to hepatocytes and all three types of sinusoidal cells; (B) BPA, GS-I, PNA, and SBA, which bound to Kupffer cells and endothelia of interlobular arteries and veins and bile duct epithelia in the portal tract, but not to hepatocytes; (C) UEA-I, which bound only to endothelia of interlobular arteries and veins and bile duct epithelia in the portal tract; (D) LBA, Lotus, LPA, and SJA, which showed no binding. Thus group B lectins may be useful markers of Kupffer cells. Only electron microscopic examination revealed the precise binding sites of lectins in sinusoidal cells and hepatocytes. Hepatocyte cell surface polarities demonstrated by lectin binding in LC and HCC were different from those in the normal liver. The binding pattern of PHA to LC hepatocytes changed from a membranous to both a membranous and a cytoplasmic pattern, and that of LcH to HCC cells changed to dot-like staining in the cytoplasm. These changes of polarities in LC and HCC might be caused by changes in the distribution of lectin-binding carbohydrates or by the altered glycosylation of glycoconjugates.     

瘦素及其受体在人胚胎小肠不同发育阶段的表达

目的对22例13周～24周胎龄早期胎儿空肠、回肠的组织发育和空肠、回肠内瘦素及其受体分布进行观察。方法采用苏木精-伊红和免疫组织化学SABC染色方法。结果在13周时,空肠和回肠均出现绒毛。20周时,空肠出现薄层黏膜肌,而回肠在24周时才可见黏膜肌,至此小肠壁四层结构才分界清楚。空肠及回肠在13周时,绒毛上皮细胞均呈瘦素及其受体免疫反应阳性。随胎龄增加,两者反应强度均无明显变化。结论人胚胎发育早期,在空肠和回肠黏膜上皮内有瘦素及其受体的表达,推测瘦素可能作为一种生长因子,参与早期小肠结构的发育。     

Abnormal patterns of colorectal mucin secretion after urinary diversion of different types: histochemical and lectin binding studies

Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that ureterosigmoidostomy is associated with a high risk for the development of colonic cancer, while there is no reported evidence of increased risk in patients who undergo urinary diversion of other types. In the present study the histochemical and lectin binding characteristics of goblet cell mucin were investigated in biopsy specimens from patients who had undergone ureterosigmoidostomy and from patients who had undergone rectal bladder surgery. Specimens from transitional mucosa surrounding colonic cancers and from normal rectal mucosa were also studied. For histochemical studies the high iron diamine-Alcian blue method was used. FITC-conjugated Dolichus biflorus agglutinin (FITC-DBA) and Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (FITC-PNA) were used for the study of lectin binding characteristics. In contrast to the striking increase in numbers of sialomucin-containing goblet cells found in the patients who had undergone ureterosigmoidostomy, the mucin proved to be histochemically normal in the rectal bladder surgery group. Abnormal lectin binding patterns were observed in colorectal mucosa after urinary diversion of both types, with the abnormalities consisting of dramatic decreases in FITC-DBA labeling (compared with controls) and the appearance of substantial numbers of FITC-PNA-labeled goblet cells. These findings indicate that the pattern of mucin secretion is definitely abnormal in patients who have undergone urinary diversion. Whether this abnormality is an indicator of premalignant changes remains to be established. These data, however, confirm that endoscopic and histologic follow-up studies may be of value in assessing the risk for the development of cancer in these patients.     

Developmental expression of glycocomponents in the chick chorioallantoic membrane

Widespread interest has focused on the research of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and its functional contribution to gaseous exchange, calcium reabsorption, water and electrolyte transport during chick embryogenesis. Nevertheless, very little information is available on the glycoconjugate components of this extra-embryonic structure. In the present study, we investigated by lectin histochemistry, the glycosylation pattern expressed in the CAM epithelia during embryonic development. Occurrence of sialic acid-associated glycoproteins was detailed by either specific lectins, which discriminate alpha2,3 and alpha2,6 sialoderivatives, or sialidase digestion combined with appropriate lectins to identify the sialic acid acceptor sugars. Lectin affinities proved to depend greatly on differentiation of the CAM epithelia which showed highest expression of binding sites during the second half of incubation up to hatching. Differences emerged between the chorionic and the allantoic epithelium, regarding qualitative, quantitative and temporal expression of sugar moieties. A cell type-specific distribution of glycocomponents was found in the chorionic epithelium where lectin binding sites were specifically located in the villus cavity cells. In the allantoic epithelium, high and heterogeneous occurrence of sialoglycoconjugates as well as specific presence of fucose residues were evidenced mostly in the granule cells. We conclude from these findings that various glycoconjugates in the CAM could participate in different physiological functions characteristic of the chorionic and the allantoic epithelium.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria vermiformis</Emphasis> infection reduces goblet cells by multiplication in the crypt cells of the small intestine of C57BL/6 mice

In the gastrointestinal mucosa, mucus produced by goblet cells plays an important role in the defense against various pathogens. It is well known that some helminth parasites are able to up-regulate goblet cell numbers and alter the mucus components. However, the nature of the interactions between the protozoan parasites and goblet cells is still unclear. To clarify this point, we examined the goblet cell response in the small intestinal epithelium in C57BL/6 mice with Eimeria vermiformis infection. On day 6 post-infection (p.i.), we observed E. vermiformis multiplication followed by their destruction within the epithelium of the crypt. However, this was not observed in the villi. There was no evidence that the parasite destroyed the goblet cells; moreover, the number of goblet cells decreased in association with the development of the endogenous stages of E. vermiformis in the jejunum and ileum, but not in the duodenum. During this time, we observed infiltration into the lamina propria by lymphoid cells, such as plasma cells and lymphocytes with some eosinophils, in addition to villous atrophy. A significant reduction of goblet cell numbers occurred on days 8 and 10 p.i. Starting from day 12 p.i., elimination/termination of E. vermiformis was noted, and there was recovery of the villous epithelium along with regeneration of the crypt and goblet cells. The current study examined the reduction of goblet cells and their possible importance in eimerian infections.     

Carbohydrate histochemistry of lamb duodenum

In order to elucidate the carbohydrate profile of the mucosa of lamb duodenum, conventional histochemical methods and a panel of 7 labelled lectins were used. In some cases, treatment with sialidase preceeded lectin staining. Carbohydrate histochemistry revealed the presence of sugar residues in the brush border of enterocytes, goblet cells and duodenal glands. All sites contained neutral and acid glycoconjugates. The presence of sulphomucins in goblet and duodenal gland cells was age-dependent. Enterocytes and duodenal gland cells contained abundant amounts of oligosaccharides with terminal sialic acid-galactosyl(beta1 --> 3)N-acetylgalactosamine, whereas goblet cells contained the penultimate N-acetylgalactosamine residue linked to sialic acid. These findings were not age-dependent, whereas scarce amounts of fucose were found in all sites especially in young animals. The findings obtained in the present study serve as a basis for future pathological studies in lamb and sheep.     

Hexose transport across the apical and basolateral membrane of enterocytes from different regions of the chicken intestine

The properties of hexose transport across the apical and basolateral membranes of chicken enterocytes have been studied in the small and large intestine. Results show that (a) isolated epithelial cells from all segments except the coprodeum can accumulate 3-O-methylglucose (Glc3Me) against a concentration gradient, by a Na⁺-dependent and phloridzin-sensitive mechanism, (b) The cell cumulative capacity for Glc3Me (control/phloridzin-incubated cells) is lower in the small intestine than in the large intestine (rectum = proximal caecum = ileum > jejunum > duodenum). (c) Theophylline enhances the cell Glc3Me cumulative capacity 2.9-fold in the duodenum and 2.4-fold in the jejunum but has no effect in the other segments studied. (d) Analysis of sugar uptake indicates that net hexose influx rates decrease from proximal to distal regions: jejunum > duodenum > ileum = proximal caecum = rectum for the apical transport system (-methyl glucoside as substrate and phloridzin as inhibitor) and duodenum > jejunum > ileum = proximal caecum = rectum for the basolateral system (2-deoxyglucose; theophylline). (e) The duodenum and the jejunum show high apical and basolateral hexose transport rates, which confer a significant capacity for sugar absorption on the proximal intestine. More distal regions, including the ileum, the proximal caecum and the rectum, have transport systems analogous to those of the proximal intestine that keep a considerable potential capability to recover hexoses from the lumen.     

Intravenous injection of guanylin induces mucus secretion from goblet cells in rat duodenal crypts

 Guanylin, structurally related to the heat-stable enterotoxin of E. coli, is a 15-amino-acid peptide isolated from rat small intestine. We investigated the morphological effects of an intravenous injection of rat and human guanylin upon the rat intestine. Various doses of rat guanylin were injected intravenously in anesthetized rats. After 5, 10 and 30 min, rats were killed by intracardiac perfusion with aldehyde fixative, and specimens of the intestine were then prepared for light and electron microscopy. Intravenously injected rat guanylin rapidly induced mucus secretion from crypt goblet cells in the duodenum. About half of the crypt goblet cells secreted mucous granules by compound exocytosis within 5 min. The villus goblet cells, in contrast, were not sensitive to guanylin. Goblet cells in the jejunum were less responsive than those in the duodenum. This secretory response was rare in the ileum and colon. Human guanylin produced similar results. The mucus secretion induced by guanylin was inhibited by a prior-injection of atropine, but not hexamethonium. Moreover, guanylin induced intense edema in the mucosa and submucosa of the small intestine 5 min after the injection, which disappeared after 30 min. A prior-injection of atropine did not block the appearance of edema. In conclusion, the intravenous injection of guanylin induces two phenomena related to water movement: (1) compound exocytosis of mucous granules from crypt goblet cells in the rat duodenum and jejunum; (2) perineural, inter-epithelial and intra-epithelial edema in the rat small intestine. Accepted: 27 October 1997     

On the presence of intermediate cells in the small intestine

In the small intestine, the presence of transitional cells or cells intermediate between Paneth cells and goblet cells has been reported frequently for 100 years. Light microscopy and, more recently, fine structural studies have indicated that secretory granules observed in intermediate cells share some morphologic characteristics with those of granular goblet cells and of Paneth cells. In order to verify if intermediate cells in the jejunum and ileum of the adult mouse have functional similarities with either granular goblet or Paneth cells, we have studied the incorporation of sulfur-35 by radioautography and the localization of lysozyme by immunocytochemistry. After radioautography, goblet cells and, to a lesser extent, granular goblet cells had incorporated sulfur-35, whereas Paneth cells and intermediate cells were completely negative. Immunolocalization of lysozyme was done by using rabbit anti-rat lysozyme and protein A-peroxidase. After demonstration of peroxidase activity, only Paneth cells were stained and intermediate cells were negative. Therefore, intermediate cells do not contain sulfomucin or lysozyme, and they are functionally different from goblet and Paneth cells. Their function remains unknown.     

Pathologic lesions of naturally occurring coccidiosis in sheep and goats

Small ruminant coccidiosis is a contagious protozoal disease that especially occurs in kids and lambs, with a worldwide distribution. In this study, a total number of 21 small ruminants including six goats and 15 sheep with ages between 2 weeks to 6 years old with history of depression, loss of appetite, yellow to dark watery diarrhea, progressive dehydration, and emaciation were referred for diagnosis of the disease. At necropsy, gross lesions were seen mostly in the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and sometimes in proximal colon. Three cases had minimal lesions including a few scattered whitish non-pedunculated to pedunculated nodules on the mucosa of the jejunum and ileum. Eighteen cases had marked lesions including numerous small whitish non-pedunculated nodules on the mucosa of the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and proximal colon. Advanced cases had adenomatous-like mucosa and a cerebriform or gyrate pattern on the serosal surface. Microscopically, lesions in both minimal and marked cases were similar to proliferative enteritis except the extent of lesions and amount of inflammatory reaction. In marked cases, the epithelial cells of hyperplastic crypts and villi of the jejunum, ileum, cecum, and proximal part of colon were full of developmental stages of Eimeria, especially progamonts. The giant schizonts were easily discernible in five cases. There was no histologic evidence of presence of developmental stages of Eimeria in the duodenum, distal colon, rectum, submucosal tissues, or mesenteric lymph nodes. In conclusion, this study showed no differences between sheep and goat cases with regards to clinical signs, gross and histopathologic lesions. The most common lesions were in the jejunum, ileum, and cecum, grossly as non-pedunculated whitish nodules and microscopically, as proliferative enteritis with presence of developmental stages of the Eimeria in the hyperplastic enterocytes.     

Origin and renewal of goblet cells in the epithelium of the mouse small intestine

The epithelium of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was investigated in adult female mice given an injection of³ H-thymidine and sacrificed at times varying from one hour to 14 days later. The tissues were fixed by perfusion with paraformaldehyde and embedded in Epon. One micron thick sections were cut singly or serially, radioautographed and stained with iron hematoxylin and safranin O. In addition, reconstruction of a crypt was made from serial sections of jejunum. The reconstruction of a crypt shows the well known columnar, goblet, Paneth, and argentaffin cells. There are also little known cell types referred to as oligomucous and granulo-mucous and pale cells with or without mucus. Of these cells, the only numerous ones are the oligomucous cells, which are located in the lower half of the crypts and contain a few or even only one mucous globule. In the electron microscope, they display long cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum parallel to the lateral cell membrane and similar to those observed in goblet cells. In radioautographs of the crypts neither goblet cells, nor Paneth cells, nor argentaffin cells show mitosis or label one hour after³ H-thymidine injection. Granulo-mucous and pale cells are only rarely labeled. In contrast, columnar and oligomucous cells frequently take up label and undergo mitosis. By 12 hours after injection labeled goblet cells have appeared. Since at that time ³ H-thymidine has left the circulation, the label must have been acquired by transformation of labeled columnar or oligomucous cells. Furthermore, since transitional forms between oligomucous and goblet cells are common, it is concluded that oligomucous cells are those which directly transform into goblet cells. Eventually, like columnar cells, labeled goblet cells migrate to the villus epithelium, climb to the villus tip and fall into the lumen. Although oligomucous cells fit the requirements for goblet cell precursors, not enough of them are labeled to account for the rate of renewal of goblet cells. It is therefore speculated that some undifferentiated columnar cells at the base of the crypts participate in the production of oligomucous cells, which in turn yield goblet cells.     

Interaction of microorganisms with enterocytes after oral administration of pesticides

Intragastral administration of the pesticides Sumi-alpha and Omait to rats significantly increases the number of parietal microorganisms in the jejunum, ileum, and particularly in the cecum. Electron microscopy shows that parietal microorganisms invade goblet cells during secretion and then enter prismatic cells via the lateral plasma membrane. The number of parietal microorganisms entering enterocytes after Sumi-alpha is higher than after less toxic Omait, reaching the maximum 5 h after administration. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 4, pp. 467–470, April, 1997     

Detection of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes,goblet cells and secretory IgA in the intestinal mucosa during Newcastle disease virus infection

Newcastle disease, which is caused by Newcastle disease virus (NDV), is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry and other bird species. The mucosa is the first line of defence to invading pathogens, including NDV, and it has been confirmed that the mucosa can contribute to host protection. This study was conducted to evaluate the intestinal mucosal immunology in NDV infection. Forty specific-pathogen-free chickens were divided into two groups, 20 birds in each group. Group 1 was inoculated with NDV by the intravenous route. Group 2 was used as the control group and was given sterile phosphate-buffered saline by the same route. At 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post infection (h.p.i.), five chickens from each treatment were killed. Samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected to quantify intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), goblet cells and secretory IgA (sIgA) by cytochemistry and immunohistochemistry analysis. The results indicated that IEL were increased from 24 to 72 h.p.i. in the infected tissues, and were significantly higher than in the control group at 48 h.p.i. (P < 0.01). In contrast to IEL, goblet cell numbers were reduced dramatically from 24 to 96 h.p.i. in the infected birds (P < 0.01) Furthermore, the content of sIgA was significantly higher at 48 and 72 h.p.i. in the infected tissues (P < 0.01). sIgA positivity was observed in the epithelial lining of the intestinal mucosa. These data suggest that IEL, goblet cells, and sIgA were involved in the intestinal mucosal immunity against NDV infection.     

The bovine allantoic and amniotic epithelia

Summary The ectodermal and endodermal coverings of the allanto-amniotic membrane in cattle fetuses of various gestational ages have been studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. We have observed that the allantoic and amniotic epithelia have rather similar cells which are rich in filaments but poor in organelles. Neither epithelium reflects its different origin nor the differences in the composition of the two fetal fluids. Maturation changes occur in the pattern of the various surface specializations until midterm. Coral-like luminal outgrowths, which also contain organelles, were observed in both epithelia, whereas microplicae had formed only on fully differentiated amniotic cells. Interspersed smooth-surfaced cells in the allantoic epithelium that differ also in nuclear shape, glycocalyx, and mitochondria are regarded as a second cell type. Besides fluid-filled blisters and cornified pustules, the most typical feature of the amniotic epithelium is a rather regular lateral cell interdigitation with tongue-like lamellae of even thickness. Micropinocytotic vesicles are more frequent than in the allantois. Both epithelia possess similar tight junctions; no morphological or histochemical indications of an active sodium transport were evidenced.     

An investigation of human jejunal and ileal arteries

The arrangement of jejunal and ileal arteries varies along the length of the small bowel, but the reasons for this and the functional implications are uncertain. The aims of this anatomical and histological study were to investigate quantitative differences between jejunal and ileal arteries and to investigate their relative muscularity. Ten cadaver small bowels (five males, mean age 78 years) were analysed. In each specimen, the mesentery of two standardised 40-cm lengths of jejunum and ileum were dissected and measured. Representative arterial samples from a jejunal and ileal parent artery, first arcade artery and arteriae recta were examined histologically and their relative muscularity (proportion of arterial cross sectional area occupied by tunica media) compared. No consistent differences were found between jejunal and ileal parent artery lengths, but jejunal arteries tended to be larger (mean diameter 2.2 ± 0.2 mm vs. 2.0 ± 0.4 mm, p = 0.08). Compared to the jejunum, the number of arterial arcades was significantly greater in the ileum (p < 0.0001), and the arteriae recta were more numerous (p = 0.02), shorter (p = 0.007) and narrower (p = 0.004). There was no statistically significant difference between the muscularity of proximal jejunal versus distal ileal arteries or between parent, first arcade and arteriae recta within the proximal jejunum and distal ileum. These quantitative data clarify conflicting statements about jejunal and ileal arterial anatomy. However, the different arterial pattern in the jejunum and ileum does not appear to be associated with differences in the muscularity of these arteries.