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

Figure 3 High magnifying narrow band imaging image of normal esophageal mucosa (luminal side). A: Soft pressure of the endoscope distal attachment (“hood”) onto the mucosal surface demonstrates SECN, hard pressure onto the mucosa compresses horizontal vessels, allowing clear observation of IPCLs; B: In the circle the SECN located at the top layer of lamina propria mucosae, just beneath the epithelium. The black arrows indicate the branching vessels into the lower lamina propria; white arrows indicate the IPCL located in the epithelial papilla, which is a projection of lamina propria mucosae into the epithelium. SECN: Sub-epithelial capillary network; IPCL: Intrapapillary capillary loop.