Corrosion cast of the vascularization of Mugil Cephalus gills

The spatial organization of the microcirculation in gills of Mugil Cephalus, was examined by scanning electron microscopic analysis of corrosion cast prepared by intravascular injection of methyl methacrylate. The afferent branchial artery originates from the ventral aorta and gives rise to afferent filamental artery. From the medio-lateral wall of the afferent filamental artery, afferent lamellar arterioles originate which supply one or more lamellae. The lamellar efferent arterioles, which drain the blood coming from the lamellae into the efferent filamental arteries, continue with the efferent branchial arteries and then the dorsal aorta. The techniques used so permitted to evaluate the structure and the interrelationships of the vascular pathways, explaining the regulation and the distribution of the blood flow in the gills.