(A) Normal: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining section of rectal tissue shows a normal myenteric ganglion containing many neurons that are easily identified as large cells with nucleus containing prominent nucleoli and amphophilic cytoplasm due with Nissl granules.
(B) Hirschsprung disease: A rectal biopsy specimen from a patient with Hirschsprung disease shows a hypertrophic nerve in the myenteric plexus and an absence of ganglion cells.
(A) Reproduced with permission from: Small and large bowel structure: Development and mechanical disorders. In: Lewin, Weinstein and Riddell's Gastrointestinal Pathology and its Clinical Implications, 2nd ed, Riddell R, Jain D (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia 2014. Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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(B) Reproduced with permission from: Rubin R, Strayer DS. Rubin's Pathology: Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine, 5th ed, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia 2008. Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
