The Capillary Endothelium in the Rete Mirabile of the Swimbladder of the Eel (Anguilla anguilla): Functional and Ultrastructural Aspects

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• Main Authors: Bendayan, M., Sandborn, E. B., Rasio, E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1974
• Subjects: Physiology (medical); Pharmacology; General Medicine; Physiology; Anguilla anguilla
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/y74-079; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/y74-079

The rete mirabile of the swimbladder of the eel is a network of straight capillaries, one against the other, in which an arterial capillary alternates with a venous capillary. The function of these capillaries is to allow the swimbladder to concentrate oxygen by a hairpin countercurrent multiplication mechanism.Electron microscopy shows a very large number of channels in the endothelial cells and most of the channels have alternating dilatations and constrictions as though fixed in a condition of peristalsis. The findings suggest that there is a continuity between the organelles and indicate that the hairpin countercurrent multiplication mechanism may be dependent upon a continuous active return system composed of the membrane-bound channels.