Extra capillary blood flow pathways (EBFP) in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an integral part of its intraorganic bloodstream. However, their role in the regulation of blood flow in the intramural nerve plexuses (INP) is still not clear. Objective - morphological analysis of various EBFP variants in intramural nerve plexuses of the gastrointestinal tract and clarification of their functional purpose Material and methods. Histological preparations of rats' GIT (n = 9) with a microvascular bed impregnated according to Ranvier and supplemented with hematoxylin and eosin were studied at the light-optical level. Results. In the intramural nerve plexuses, numerous EBFP represented by two types of fistulas: arterio-venular anastomoses (AVA) and pre-postcapillary communication (half shunts). Through EBFP constant and adjustable blood flow. Functional purpose of EBFP: 1) shunting of blood flow; 2) venous blood oxygenation; 3) countercurrent gas exchange; 4) blood rheological properties restoration.