[Histological findings following experimental resection of the small intestine]

The small intestine remaining after resection of up to 50% of the small intestine in young rats was studied continuously in serial sections. Morphological changes in the area of the serous surface, the strength of the musculature, the number and length of villi per section and the surface index were scrutinized. Statistical evaluation and the discussion (with the results of authors who have been concerned with the same problem) showed that a true hyperplasia of the mucosa and of the whole gut wall with an increase in the number of villi occurs in animals with a resectioned small intestine. Thus it could be demonstrated that functional integrity is restored by morphological changes in the residual gut which are based on hyperplasia and hypertrophy.