Intestinal blood supply. Fluorescence deconvolution micrograph of a section through the ileum,showing a muscular artery (green,top) in the submucosa,smooth muscle layer (green,bottom),calcium-sensing receptors (red),vascular endothelium (yellow),and cell nuclei (blue). The ileum is the final section of the small intestine. Its main role is the absorption of vitamin B12,bile salts,and digestive products not absorbed by previous gut regions. The ileal arteries are branches of the superior mesenteric artery. Magnification: x400 when printed at 10 centimetres wide |