EFFECTS OF DISTENTION OF THE INTESTINE 



241 



of such distended small intestine shows that the villi are shorter 

 and broader than those of the contracted intestine (compare 

 figs. 5 and 6). They present a variety of shapes; some are bent 

 over on their sides, and others shortened on themselves so that 

 their epithelium is thrown into wrinkles which appear twisted 

 spirally. Central lacteals, as well as other lymphatic vessels, 

 are enlarged. The glands are shorter and broader. Goblet 

 cells appear about as numerous in the distended condition as 



TABLE 3 



Measurements shoiving the effects of normal distention of the small intestine as con- 

 trasted to those of contraction 



1 Not including muscularis mucosae 



2 Average 



^ Including muscularis mucosae 

 * Highest 

 ^ Deepest 



in the contracted. In table 3 measurements from both the 

 normally contracted and the normally distended intestines 

 are given. 



The large intestine in the filled condition also shows a marked 

 shortening of its glands, as can be seen by comparing figures 

 8 and 9. 



Artificial distention 



Some of the results of artificial distention produced by pres- 

 sure are given in table 4. As would be expected, different 

 amounts of distention produce different degrees of shortening 



