This review deals with several subtopics of mesenteric vascular physiology and pathophysiology, namely methodology, morphology, neuroregulation, venous pressure, ischemia-reperfusion injury, post-occlusion injury and vasodilator treatment, and endotoxemia. Under methodology, the hemodynamic stability of the postanesthetic state was examined and the potential clinical usefulness of laser Doppler velocimetry was evaluated. Morphologic differences between micro-circulatory elements of various mucosal locations were reported. Sympathetic nerve influences on intestinal blood flow and parenchymal metabolism were quantified and related. The effects of changing portal venous pressure on lymphatic and venous functions have been explored. The effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury on intestinal absorption of lipids and prostacyclin release were delineated, and new treatments to ameliorate this vascular insult were noted. Exogenous glucagon appeared to protect the gut from injury caused by arterial occlusion followed by reperfusion. Nitric oxide behaved as an endogenous maintainer of capillary integrity in the face of endotoxic insult.