BLOODVESSELS OF MUSCULAR COAT OF INTESTINE. 593 



(fig. 114, c). In the upper part of the oesophagus these last 

 are very similar to those of the pharynx, but are less uniform 

 near the middle. Here the capillaries form natter arches, with 

 their convexities towards the surface, from which two to five 

 short loop-like processes arise. In the lower parts of the 

 oesophagus the simple loops are again found; they become 



Fig. 114. 



Fig. 114. Submucous and mucous layers of the esophagus, as seen 

 with different focussing. 



more vertical, their height gradually increasing towards the 

 stomach, so that near the cardiac orifice they attain a con- 

 siderable size. At the point where the mucous membrane of 

 the stomach commences they suddenly cease with a dentated 

 border. The venous trunks of the superficial regions of the 

 mucous membrane accompany the corresponding arteries 

 throughout their whole course. 



MUSCULAR COAT OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL. 



The layers of smooth muscular tissue investing the alimen- 

 tary canal from the oesophagus to the rectum, possess a 

 vascular system proper and peculiar to themselves. The 

 larger vessels reach them by two routes : on the one hand, 

 branches are given off from the vessels supplying the intestine, 



