Three-dimensional reconstruction of brain capillaries from frozen serial sections

Based on frozen serial sections and microphotographs, the present study describes a three-dimensional reconstruction of the alkaline-phosphatase positive capillary network in the cat's cerebral cortex. This model clearly demonstrates a continuous increase of the volumetric capillary density towards the deeper cortical layers. Results of a morphometric investigation subsequently performed on photographed capillaries and obtained from a relatively small tissue sample fit well with the data from the whole temporo-parietal cortex region. The correspondence between the two data sets reflects specific morphometric characteristics of the capillary net in the cortex of the temporo-parietal Suprasylvian Gyrus. The information obtained from the three-dimensional capillary model represents a basic tool for additional computer-assisted steric reconstruction of the capillary network in the cerebral cortex.