Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Some observations on the fine structure of the synaptic area in the ciliary ganglion of the chick

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The fine structure of the synaptic area in the ciliary ganglion from 10-days chick embryo to the adult was studied by electron microscopy.

The ciliary ganglion cell is unipolar and a considerable surface of which is covered by the calyx terminal. The peripheral part of the calyx divides into several terminal knobs and form a basket terminal.

Four types of contact configurations were observed in the calyciform ending: 1) contact area without membrane specialization which occupies the most part of the contact, 2) desmo-some-like structure which is observed in various places of the contact surface, 3) synaptic complex and 4) close apposition of apposing plasma membranes.

The presence of the synaptic complex and the close appositon of apposed plasma membranes seems to correspond to the dual natures of the transmission obtained by Martin and Pilar (1963a, b).

In addition, some considerations were made on the subsurface cistern and on the possible functional significance of the myelin sheath surrounding the ganglion cell and the calyx.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bennett, H. S., and J. H. Luft: S-Collidine as a basis for buffering fixatives. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 6, 113–114 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, M. V. L., E. Aljure, Y. Nakajima, and G. D. Pappas: Electrotonic junctions between teleost spinal neurons: Electrophysiology and ultrastructure. Science 141, 262–264 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, F. W.: The ciliary ganglion of birds. Folia neurobiol. (Leipz.) 5, 738–754 (1911).

    Google Scholar 

  • Colonnier, M., and R.W. Guillery: Synaptic organization in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the monkey. Z. Zellforsoh. 62, 333–355 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Couteaux, R.: Principaux critères morphologiques et cytochimiques utilisables aujourd'hui pour définir les divers types de synapses. Actualités neurophysiol. 3, 145–173 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Engström, H.: On the double innervation of the sensory epithelia of the inner ear. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.) 49, 109–118 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. G.: The granule cells, mossy synapses and Purkinje spine synapses of the cerebellum: light and electron microscope observations. J. Anat. (Lond.) 95, 345–356 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hama, K.: Some observations on the fine structure of the giant fibers of the earthworm, Eisenia foetida. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 6, 61–66 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Some observations on the fine structure of the giant fibers of the crayfishes (Cambarus virilis and Cambarus clarkii) with special reference to the submicroscopic organization of the synapses. Anat. Rec. 141, 275–294 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • - Fine structure of the lateral line organ of the Japanese sea eel. In: 5th Internat. Congr. for Electron Microscopy, Philadelphia 1962, vol. 2.

  • —: Some observations on the fine structure of the lateral line organ of the Japanese sea eel Lyncozymba nystromi. J. Cell Biol. 24, 193–210 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirata, Y.: Some observations on the fine structure of the synapses in the olfactory bulb of the mouse, with particular reference to the atypical synaptic configurations. Arch. histol. jap. 24, 293–302 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenhossék, M. van: Das Ganglion ciliare der Vögel. Arch. mikr. Anat. 76, 945–969 (1911).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzo, A. J. de: The fine structure of synapses in the ciliary ganglion of the chick. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 7, 31–36 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft, H. J.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, A. R., and G. Pilar: Dual mode of synaptic transmission in the avian ciliary ganglion. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 168, 443–463 (1963a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Transmission through the ciliary ganglion of the chick. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 168, 464–475 (1963b).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: An analysis of electrical coupling at synapses in the avian ciliary ganglion. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 171, 454–475 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Millonig, G.: A modified procedure for lead staining of thin sections. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 11, 736–739 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • - Further observations on a phosphate buffer for osmium solutions in fixation. In: 5th Internat. Congr. for Electron Microscopy, Philadelphia 1962, vol. 2.

  • Nishimura, T.: Electron microscopic observations of cochlear ganglia of guinea pigs. Jap. J. Otolaryng. 67, 13–19 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Odland, G.: The fine structure of the interrelationship of cells in the human epidermis. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 529–538 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Palade, G. E.: A study of fixation for electron microscopy. J. exp. Med. 95, 285–298 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Palay, S. L.: Synapses in the central nervous system. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol., Suppl. 2, 193–202 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pick, J., C. Gerdin, and C. Delemos: An electron microscopical study of developing sympathetic neurons in man. Z. Zellforsch. 62, 402–415 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, J. D.: Ultrastructure of excitable membranes and the crayfish median-giant synapse. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 94, 339–389 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The occurrence of a subunit pattern in the unit membranes of club endings in Mauthner cell synapses in goldfish brains. J. Cell Biol. 19, 201–221 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbluth, J.: Subsurface cisterns and their relationship to the neuronal plasma membrane. J. Cell Biol. 13, 405–421 (1962a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The fine structure of acoustic ganglia in the rat. J. Cell Biol. 12, 329–359 (1962b).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Contrast between osmium-fixed and permanganate-fixed toad spinal ganglia. J. Cell Biol. 16, 143–157 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and S. L. Palay: The fine structure of nerve cell bodies and their myelin sheath in the eighth nerve ganglion of the gold fish. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 853–877 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C. A., and F. S. Sjöstrand: Structure of the nerve endings on the external hair cells of the guinea pig cochlea as studied by serial sections. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 523–556 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefanelli, A. e S. Caravita: Ultrastruttura dei sistemi sinaptici del neurone di Mauthner di un Teleosteo (Brachydanio rerio). Z. Zellforsch. 62, 1–15 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Taxi, J.: Étude de l'ultrastructure des zones synaptiques dans les ganglions sympathiques de la Grenouille. C. R. Aoad. Sci. (Paris) 252, 174–176 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, Tor.: A method of toluidine blue stain for epoxy embedded tissues for light microscopy. Acta anat. Nipp. 38, 124–128 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, T., M. Ishida, and T. Nishimura: On the so-called vesicular component of satellite cells. Acta anat. Nipp. 38, 188–194 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical College, Sapporo, Japan

    Kyozo Takahashi &  Kiyoshi Hama

  2. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan

    Kyozo Takahashi &  Kiyoshi Hama

  3. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan

    Kiyoshi Hama

Authors
  1. Kyozo Takahashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kiyoshi Hama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported in part by Grant NB-03348-03 from the National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service.

Dr. Takahashi wishes to express his sincere thanks to Professor S. Watanabe, Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical College, who offered an opportunity for doing work at the Department of Anatomy, Hiroshima University.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Takahashi, K., Hama, K. Some observations on the fine structure of the synaptic area in the ciliary ganglion of the chick. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 67, 174–184 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344467

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344467

Keywords

Search

Navigation