A demonstration of microvilli on the luminal surfaces of epithelial cells of the canine extrahepatic biliary tract.

Micromorphologic evidence is presented which indicates that in the dog the lining epitheliums of the intramural portion of the common bile duct and proximal part of the cystic duct are organized into convoluted folds. The mucosal lining of the extramural portion of the common bile duct appears to contain simple crypt structures. The mucosal surface of the hepatic duct is characterized by parallel ridges, longitudinally aligned with the long axis of the duct. The epithelial cells of the entire canine extrahepatic biliary tree present a topographic-dome shaped appearance, and their luminal surfaces are densely covered with microvilli.