Microvasculature of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction: Lesson learned from submucosal endoscopy

Figure 1 Mucosal vessels. A and C: Endoscopic images during per-oral endoscopic myotomy procedure (high magnification images); after unintentional removal of the epithelium (white layer), top half of epithelium was peeled off, and IPCLs were exposed. IPCLs appear as regularly-arranged, red dots (A: White light) or dark green spots (C: NBI); B: A schematic representation of the vascular network of esophageal mucosa: a: Branching vessels; b: SECN; c: IPCL. IPCL: Intrapapillary capillary loop; SECN: Sub epithelial capillary network; NBI: Narrow band imaging.