Images Dated 10th December 2004

False-colour SEM of vessels in liver lobule

Liver tissue. False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of blood vessels around a lobule, the functional unit of the liver. A typical lobule is bound on its periphery by groups of ducts & vessels, most prominently the conducting portal vein (large blue sectioned vessel) & branches called distributing portal veins (smaller blue vessel). Plates of hepatocytes or liver cells (coloured gold) radiate towards a central vein (top right). The dark spaces surrounding them are capillaries (sinusoids). Arterial vessels also bind each lobule, but are less visible here. Magnification: x125 at 6x7cm size

© PROF. P. MOTTA/DEPT. OF ANATOMY/UNIVERSITY LA SAPIENZA , ROME/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Twelfth cranial nerve

Twelfth cranial nerve (hypoglossal nerve, cranial nerve XII). Historical anatomical artwork of a side view of a dissected human neck showing veins (blue), arteries (red), muscles (red), and nerves (white). The hypoglossal nerve is named for the branch it sends to the underside of the tongue (at upper right), but other nerves also ennervate the tongue (such as the gustatory nerve). The twelfth cranial nerve also branches to ennervate other structures, such as throat muscles. The thick nerves at lower left are cervical nerves from the cervical spinal cord. The main vein seen here is the internal jugular vein. Artwork from The Nerves of the Human Body (Ed. Jones Quain, London, 1839)

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Upper urinary tract, X-ray

Upper urinary system. X-ray of the upperurinary tract, which has been highlighted (white)by the injection of a contrast medium( urography ). Spinal bones (vertebrae) run downcentre, and either side are the two healthykidneys (branched structures at upper left andupper right). From each kidney, a ureter drainsurine down to the bladder (not seen). Urinecontains urea, a waste product that the kidneysfilter from the blood

© Dr P.Marazzi/Science Photo Library