Scanning electron microscopy of epithelia prepared by blunt dissection

Simple dissection techniques of samples to be examined in the scanning electron microscope allow one to visualize easily the three-dimensional shape of epithelial cells in situ. Such preparations reveal a complex system of ridges and folds on the lateral surface of the cells whose intricacy can best be appreciated with SEM. In many epithelia there is a smooth apical band which corresponds to the region occupied by the junctional complex previously identified with conventional EM techniques. The secretion of chylomicra that result from a fatty meal can be observed. It is possible to study the distribution of concanavalin A binding sites on the lateral surfaces of the cells utilizing hemocyanin as a marker. In the case of the proximal tubule epithelium, the apical cell surface has many more binding sites than the lateral cell surface and there is a sharp demarcation at the level of the apical band. After blunt dissection the relationship of the basal surface of the cells with the basement lamina and the basement membrane can be appreciated as well. Possible physiological meaning of the morphological features observed is briefly discussed.