The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of irradiation on the microvascular structure of the submandibular gland in rats. For this study, 110 male rats were singly irradiated with the dose of 10Gy or 20Gy to their neck region by 6MV X-irradiation and sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th day after irradiation. The author observed distribution and structural changes of the microvasculature in rat submandibular glands using a scanning electron microscope by forming vascular resin casting. The author observed ultrastructural changes of the endothelial cells using a transmission electron microscope, and also histologic changes using a light microscope at Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and PAS staining process. The results of the irradiation effects on the microvasculature in rat submandibular gland were as follows: By light microscopic examination, the dilation of small vessels were observed until the 7th day after irradiation. After then, the vascular constriction and decrease in number of small vessels were noticed. Changes were greater on 20Gy irradiated group than on lOGy irradiated group. The reaction to PAS staining at acinar cells was decreased just after irradiation, but gradually recovered with days. There was no specific difference between two irradiated groups. By scanning electron microscopic examination, general findings on the two irradiated groups were similar. The dilation of conduits and meandering were observed on the 3rd day after irradiation. Decrease of capillary density and blunt ended small vessels were appeared on the 7th day after irradiation. After that, findings of the tortuous and twisted vascular running and coarseness of capillary lumen were increased. Changes were greater on 20Gy irradiated group than on l0Gy irradiated group. By transmission electron microscopic examination, increase of the formation of cytoplasmic process was observed on the 3rd day after irradiation. After that, swelling of endothelial cell and bridge formation of cytoplasmic processes were also observed, but destruction of endothelial cell and loss of basement membrane were observed only on 20Gy irradiated group on the 28th day after irradiation.