594 BLOODVESSELS OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL, BY C. TOLDT. 



which penetrate the muscular tunic, and run for some distance 

 between the longitudinal and transverse layers, to both of 

 which their branches are distributed. On the other hand 

 numerous vessels from the submucous plexus turn outward to 

 the internal muscular layer, and penetrate the interspaces 

 of its constituent elements. In the musculature of the sto- 

 mach, which does not present quite such a regular arrange- 

 ment, the larger bloodvessels nevertheless likewise run between 

 the several layers and fasciculi. 



The ultimate arterial and venous branches run transversely 

 to the direction of the longitudinal muscular fibres, and give 

 off numerous long capillaries at right angles, having a diameter 

 of O007 of a millimeter ; these, frequently branching dichoto- 

 mously, run parallel to the muscular fasciculi, and communicate 

 from time to time by short transverse branches. A very regular 

 capillary system with elongated rectangular meshes is thus 

 formed. If the muscles contract, the capillaries are thrown into 

 curves, so that their characteristic appearance is essentially 

 altered. 



The vascular plexus of the muscularis mucosse exhibits a 

 similar arrangement ; but, on account of the smaller thickness 

 of the muscular layer, appears to have very large meshes. 



Mucous MEMBRANE OF THE STOMACH. 



The bloodvessels of the stomach enter it at the attachment 

 of the peritoneal layers; each artery, accompanied by its 

 corresponding vein, perforating the muscular tunic to reach the 

 submucous tissue, in which they run for a variable distance, 

 constantly giving off branches, or dividing dichotomously ; 

 the terminal branches of adjoining arterial trunks form fre- 

 quent anastomoses. The smallest arteries traverse the mus- 

 cularis mucosse to reach the glandular layer, and divide into 

 arcades of fine vessels, having an average diameter of O005 

 of a millimeter, which, winding spirally around the several 

 gland-tubes (fig. 115), give origin to new arches, that do not, 

 however, diminish in size. Every gland tube is thus sur- 

 rounded by a system of capillary arches, which extends nearly 

 to the surface of the membrane. At the same time it must 



