ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Pacinian corpuscle
;
Axonal spines
;
Axonal extreme tip
;
Inner core lamella
;
Basal lamina-like material
;
Cat
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The present report is the second of two studies re-evaluating the cytological characteristics of Pacinian corpuscles. The extreme tip of the axon of a Pacinian corpuscle has been identified and is quite different from the previously described ultraterminal region. The latter is the site where the inner core lamellae begin to terminate and is characterized by a smooth axolemma. The extreme tip lacks inner core lamellae directly abutting the axolemma and is instead characterized by the presence of many axonal spines projecting into a matrix of basal lamina-like material. The extreme tip of the axon thus resembles the organization of the axolemma facing the clefts of the inner core. The axonal spines at the cleft and extreme tip are proposed as a site of restricted current flow due to the tight apposition of inner core lamellae to the axolemma of X-axis. The hemiinner cores thus could restrict current flow to the cleft. These anatomical specializations could represent both a source and a sink for K+ ions during mechano-electric transduction and account in part for the exquisite sensitivity of Pacinian corpuscles to complex pressure waves.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00221744
