Abstract
The morphology, microanatomy and innervation of the biliary tree of the Australian possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, was examined. The gross morphology of the gallbladder, hepatic and cystic ducts, and the course of the common bile duct, conforms to those of other species. The sphincter of Oddi has an extraduodenal segment that extends 15mm from the duodenal wall; within this segment the pancreatic and common bile ducts are ensheathed together by sphincter muscle. Their lumens unite to form a common channel within the terminal intraduodenal segment. Nerve cell bodies of the gallbladder were found in an inter-connecting network of ganglia that were located in the serosa, muscularis and mucosa. Nerve fibres innervated the muscle, arterioles and the mucosa. Few ganglia were found along the supra sphincteric portion of the common bile duct. Nerve trunks followed the duct and a dense nerve fibre plexus was found in the mucosa. In the sphincter most ganglia were located in two plexuses, the first between the layers of the external sphincter muscle, which was continuous with the external muscle of the duodenum, and the second was associated with the internal sphincter muscle. Nerve fibres were numerous in the sphincter muscle, and were also found in the subepithelial and periglandular plexuses of both the pancreatic and common bile ducts.
Highlights
The neural architecture of the biliary tract has not been comprehensively examined in a single species
Like the American opossum, this species has an extraduodenal sphincter of Oddi, which greatly simplifies studies of sphincter function
All possums were kept in individual cages
Summary
The neural architecture of the biliary tract has not been comprehensively examined in a single species. Most studies have concentrated on the gallbladder, but a consistent description of the arrangement of neural plexuses has not yet emerged. The Australian brush-tailed possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is an appropriate species in which to examine the microanatomy and innervation of the biliary system. Reprint requests to: Dr R.T.A. Padbury, Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. Because of its suitability for physiological studies’’. Like the American opossum, this species has an extraduodenal sphincter of Oddi, which greatly simplifies studies of sphincter function. Knowledge of the innervation of the biliary system, which would enable correlated structural and functional studies, is lacking
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
