The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the single and fractionated irradiation on the microvascular structure of the submandibular gland in rats. For this study, 90 Sprague-Dawley strain rats were irradiated to their neck region with equal split doses of 9Gy for a 4 hours interval and 15Gy single dose by 6MV X-irradiation and sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 27th day after irradiation. The author observed histological changes at Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and PAS staining under a light microscope, and also observed distribution and structural changes of the microvasculature in rat submandibular gland using a scanning electron microscope by forming vascular resin casting. The results were as follows: 1. In the light microscopic examination, the microvasculature was slightly dilated and decreased in number on the 1st day after irradiation, and increase in number of microvasculature was observed on the 3rd day after irradiation. And then distribution of microvasculature was markedly increased on the 7th day after iradiation, but decreased on th 14th day after irradiation again. Such changes were greater in the single irradiated group than in the fractionated irradiated group. 2. The reaction to PAS staining on glandular cell was decreased on the 1st and the 3rd day after irradiation, and recovered on the 7th day after irradiation. The reaction was decreased on the 14th day after irradiation again, and recovered on the 28th day after irradiation. Changes were more apparent in the single irradiated group. 3. In the scanning electron microscopic examination, early changes of microvasculature were decreased capillary density, dilation of conduits and meandering. Increased capillary dentsity or anastomosis due to vascular reproduction and smooth curved running were observed on the 7th and 14th day after irradiation. Decreased capillary and smooth running tendency were observed on the 28th day after irradiation again. Such changes were greater in the single irradiated group than in the fractionated irradiated group.