Model of skin vascularization in Rana esculenta L.: scanning electron microscopy of microcorrosion casts.

Microcorrosion casts of blood vessels in the skin of Rana esculenta L. were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy with particular reference to the subepidermal network of respiratory capillaries. Due to the fact that arteries and veins lie in the deeper layers of the stratum spongiosum of the corium, the respiratory vessels form a morphologically homogeneous network. Functionally, however, this network is subdivided into small areas with a centripetal direction of blood flow. The deep capillary net, situated at the base of the stratum compactum of the corium, is not so dense as the respiratory network and does not directly communicate with it. Alveolar glands of the skin have no effect on the distribution of capillaries in the two networks.