Microvilli show electron dense plaques (open arrow) at their apices. These plaques may be the anchoring point for the microfilaments which run up through the core of the microvilli. While an extensive glycocalyx is present on the microvilli of many mammals, the microvilli observed in this study do not demonstrate any visible glycocalyx. The junctional complex (arrow) at the apices of the epithelial cells is supplemented by numerous spot desmosomes (arrow head) on the lateral surfaces of the cells. Magnification: 14,000 x

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Microvilli show electron dense plaques (open arrow) at their apices. These plaques may be the anchoring point for the microfilaments which run up through the core of the microvilli. While an extensive glycocalyx is present on the microvilli of many mammals, the microvilli observed in this study do not demonstrate any visible glycocalyx. The junctional complex (arrow) at the apices of the epithelial cells is supplemented by numerous spot desmosomes (arrow head) on the lateral surfaces of the cells. Magnification: 14,000 x