Summary
The surface of 4 granule-containing cells, in a cluster within the rat superior cervical ganglion, was studied by a serial sampling technique for electron microscopy. The result shows that all the 4 cells receive one, or three afferent synaptic boutons from the preganglionic fibers impinging upon their somata, and a somatic efferent synapse exists at two locations on each soma of the 2 of these cells. The postsynaptic element of the efferent synapse is observed to be represented by non-vesiculated and vesiculated segments of dendrites, soma and a possible axon collateral of the adrenergic principal neuron of the ganglion. There is a remarkably constant development of the attachment plaque between the granule-containing cells themselves, representing 1.7–2.3% of surface area for each cell. The surface area exposed to the extracellular space (covered only by a basal lamina) varies from 0.1 to 2.3% of the total perikaryal surface of the 4 cells. A tendency is noted that those cells without efferent synapses possess a more extensive area exposed to extracellular space than those forming somatic efferent synapse to the postganglionic elements.
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It is a pleasure to acknowledge the advice and encouragement of Professor A. Yamauchi throughout this work. I thank Mr. K. Kumagai and Miss K. Tsushida for their technical assistance.
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Yokota, R. The granule-containing cell somata in the superior cervical ganglion of the rat, as studied by a serial sampling method for electron microscopy. Z.Zellforsch 141, 331–345 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307410
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307410