ISSN:
0362-2525
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Light- and electron-microscopic observations of the chemosensory areas of the arteries of the tortoise (Testudo hermanni) reveal that clusters of nonmuscular cells are found in the adventitial layer of restricted regions of the carotid artery, aortic arch, and pulmonary artery. In these clusters, three types of cells are complexly interwoven: the G-cell closely resembles the glomus cell, which has been found in the arterial chemoreceptor area of several animal species; the LG-cell has very large electron-dense granules; the third type is a G- and LG-cell supporting cell. Membrane specializations are often observed at apposing membranes between G-cells. Two kinds of nerve endings synapse with G-cells, one with numerous clear synaptic vesicles, the other without vesicles. Some G-cells are in membrane-to-membrane contact with smooth-muscle cells (g-s connection), and here a membrane thickening is visible. Nerve terminals with numerous synaptic vesicles synapse with the LG-cells. The G-cell in the carotid artery, the aorta, and the pulmonary artery is a chemoreceptor element ultrastructurally the same as the glomus cell in the arterial chemoreceptor area of various vertebrate species.
Additional Material:
7 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1051970205
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