[Peritoneum as dialysis membrane--a morphologic study]

Different histological staining methods allow a deeper insight into the light microscopic structures of the biomembrane peritoneum. To the wellknown model of the peritoneal resistances according to existing results two other resistances shall be added, namely capillary pericytes and the submesothelial basal membrane. The peritoneal interstice, consisting of muscle and collagenic fibres as well as elastica fibres is penetrated by a well-formed network of reticulum fibres. In these cases is to be recognized a primary structure, characterized by compact, moniliform, doubled, screw-like and fenestrated structures, and a secondary structure, which is characterized by a cylindrical arrangement of these structures. This texture of fibres allows according to morphological points of view an intrainterstitial liquid transport in horizontal and vertical direction, which in irregular position of the anyhow scantily existing capillaries of the peritoneum is prerequisite for a regularly appearing transperitoneal liquid and substance transport in direction of the free abdominal cavity as well as vice versa.