Figure 1

Scanning electron micrographs showing the ultrastructure of continuous capillaries in the (A) brain, (B) heart and (C) lung. Upper panels: without lanthanum nitrate staining. Lower panels: with lanthanum nitrate staining for visualization of endothelial glycocalyx. Panels on the right are expanded views of those on the left. Continuous capillaries have a continuous basement membrane, and the endothelial glycocalyx can be seen on the surface of the vascular endothelial cells.