[Light and scanning electron microscopic study on portal circulation of the pancreas in the monkey]

The channel of microcirculation in the exocrine and endocrine parts of the pancreas in 20 monkeys (Macaca Mulatta) were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). The results revealed that there are portal circulations between the endocrine and exocrine parts in the pancreas of monkey. The direction of the blood flow is from the endocrine to the exocrine part: arteriole----sinusoid of the islet----portal vessel----acinar capillaries----venule. There are "insulo-insular portal system" and "convergent insulo-acinar portal system" in pancreas of these monkeys. This is for the first time reported. The functional and clinical significances of pancreatic portal circulation are discussed.