The fine structure of mucosal epithelial cells of a pathological human gall bladder

This communication presents the first electron micrographs known to us of human gall bladder mucosal epithelium. These cells are typical of epithelial cells in general. They possess microvilli, terminal bars, desmosomes, membrane interdigitations, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum, and a nucleus limited by an envelope interrupted by pores and containing one to several nucleoli. Of particular interest are the three types of granular inclusions found in the cytoplasm. These granules are discussed in the light of their possible significance, in particular their possible relation to the functioning of this epithelium in a gall bladder exhibiting cholelithiasis.