Scanning electron microscopic study of epiplexus cells in the lateral ventricles of the monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

Scanning electron microscopic study of epiplexus cells in the monkey revealed their diverse morphological forms. These pleomorphic cells were round, bipolar or stellate in shape. Their cell body was smooth or displayed various types of microappendages: microvilli, filopodia, pseudopodia and it was sometimes ruffled. Examination of the ventricular surface of the choroidal epithelium showed that the cell membrane of some of the epithelial cells was ruptured. Within these ruptured cells one or two cellular elements could be found which resembled epiplexus cells. The inclusion cell sometimes appeared to be migrating out of the epithelial cell. It is speculated that these cells represent the precursors of epiplexus cells before their release into the ventricle lumen.