Structure of rat liver sinusoids and associated tissue spaces as revealed by scanning electron microscopy

The inner surface of sinusoids and adjacent hepatocytes have been examined by scanning electron microscopy. The endothelial cells lining the sinusoids show large numbers of fenestrations which vary greatly in size and arrangement. Some are very small (0.1 μm) and arranged in clusters; others that are much larger (∼1.0 μm) are subdivided by slender strands of cytoplasm. At sites where the larger fenestrae are present it is evident that the endothelial lining of the sinusoid is double. This may represent a kind of structural assurance against complete breakdown of what seems to be a very thin and fragile endothelial wall. Junctions between adjacent endothelial cells have not been found in these preparations.