Summary
The distribution of aminergic and non-aminergic nerve fibres to the different constituents of the wall of the digestive tract in various regions is described. Aminergic fibres synapse with all nervous perikarya. Densely interlacing networks of nerve fibres are found in both layers of the tunica muscularis and in the lamina muscularis mucosae. A finely meshed plexus is observed in relation to the wall of the blood vessels in the wall of the gut. There are many fibres connecting the muscular and the vascular plexus. No nerve fibres have been observed in direct relation to the epithelium.
The functional implications of these findings are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Auerbach, L.: Fernere vorläufige Mittheilung über den Nervenapparat des Darmes. Virchows Arch.30, 457–469 (1864).
Aures, D., R. Håkånson, andCh. Owman: Formation and storage of amines in endocrine cells of gastric mucosa. J. Neuro-Visc. Rel.31, 337–349 (1970).
Battmgarten, H. G., A. F. Holstein, andCh. Owman: Auerbach's plexus of Mammals and Man: electronmicroscopic identification of three different types of neuronal processes in myenteric ganglia of the large intestine from Rhesus-monkeys, Guinea-pigs and Man. Zeitschr. Zellforsch.106, 376–397 (1970).
Bennett, M. R., andD. C. Rogers: A study of the innervation of the taenia coli. J. Cell Biol.335, 573–596 (1967).
Billroth, Th.: Einige Beobachtungen über das ausgedehnte Vorkommen von Nervenanastomosen im Tractus intestinalis. Müller's Arch.1858, 148 to 158.
Corrodi, H., N. -A. Hillarp, andG. Jonsson: Fluorescence methods for the histochemical demonstration of monoamines. 3. Sodiumborohydride reduction of the fluorescent compounds as a specificity test. J. Histochem. Cytochem.12, 582–586 (1964).
Costa, M., andJ. B. Furness: Storage, uptake and synthesis of catecholamines in the intrinsic adrenergic neurones in the proximal colon of the guinea-pig. Zeitschr. Zellforsch.120, 364–385 (1971).
Costa, M., andG. Gabella: L'innervation adrénergique des sphincters digestifs. C. R. Ass. Anat.141, 732–737 (1968).
Drukker, J., andC. Van Driel: The myoarchitecture of the sphincter gastroduodenalis. To be published.
Ellison, J. P., andK. W. Olander: Simultaneous demonstration of catecholamines and acetylcholinesterase in peripheral autonomie nerves. Am. J. Anat.135, 23–32 (1972).
Eränkö, O.: Histochemistry of nervous tissues: catecholamines and cholinesterases. Ann. Rev. Pharm.7, 203–222 (1967).
Eränkö, O., andM. Härkönen: Noradrenaline and acetylcholinesterase in sympathetic ganglion cells of the rat. Acta physiol. Scand.61, 299–300 (1964).
Esterhuizen, A. C., T. L. B. Spriggs, andJ. D. Lever: Axon beadings in autonomie cholinergic nerves. J. Cell Biol.38, 454–457 (1968).
Falck, B., N. -A. Hillarp, G. Thieme, andA. Torp: Fluorescence of catecholamines and related compounds condensed with formaldehyde. J. Histochem. Cytochem.10, 348–354 (1962).
Furness, J. B., andM. Costa: Morphology and distribution of intrinsic adrenergic neurones in the proximal colon of the guinea-pig. Zeitschr. Zellforsch.120, 346–363 (1971).
Furness, J. B., andT. Malmfors: Aspects of the arrangement of the adrenergic innervation in guinea-pigs as revealed by the fluorescence histochemical method applied to stretched, airdried preparations. Histochemie25, 297–309 (1971).
Gabella, G.: Electronmicroscopical examination of the junction between the myenteric plexus and the longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum. Brit. J. Pharmacol.40, 588 P (1970).
Gabella, G.: Innervation of the intestinal muscular coat. J. Neurocytol.1, 341–362 (1972 a).
Gabella, G.: Fine structure of the myenteric plexus in the guinea pig ileum. J. Anat.111, 69–97 (1972 b).
Hillarp, N. -A.: The construction and functional organization of the autonomie innervation apparatus. Acta. physiol. Scand.46, suppl. 157, 1–38 (1959).
Holt, S. J.: Factors governing the validity of staining methods for enzymes and their bearing upon the Gomori acid phosphatase technique. Exp. Cell Res., suppl.7, 1–27 (1959).
Karnowsky, M., andL. Roots: A “direct colouring” thiocholine method for Cholinesterases. J. Histochem. Cytochem.12, 219–221 (1964).
Maillet, M.: Modifications de la technique de Champy au tétroxyde d'osmium-iodure de potassium. Résultats de son application à l'étude des fibres nerveuses. C. R. Soc. Biol.153, 939–940 (1959).
Meissner, G.: Über die Nerven der Darmwand. Zeitschr. rat. Med.8, 364–375 (1857).
Norberg, K. -A.: Adrenergic innervation of the intestinal wall studied by fluorescence microscopy. Int. J. Neuropharm.3, 379–382 (1964).
Norberg, K. -A.: Transmitter histochemistry of the sympathetic adrenergic nervous system. Brain Res.5, 125–170 (1967).
Pick, J.: The autonomie nervous system. 1st ed., pp. 172–179. Philadelphia: Lippincott. 1970.
Ploem, J. S.: Ein neuer Illuminator-Typ für die Auflicht-Fluoreszenz-Mikroskopie. Leitz Wiss. Tech.IV, 225–238 (1969).
Silva, D. G., G. Ross, andL. W. Osborne: Adrenergic innervation of the ileum of the cat. Am. J. Physiol.220, 347–352 (1971).
Taxi, J.: Contribution à l'étude des connexions des neurones moteurs du système nerveux autonome. Ann. Sci. Nat. Zool.7, 413–674 (1965).
Van Driel, C.: Some aspects of the morphology of Auerbach's plexus in the rat. Acta Morphol. Neerl. -Scand.7, 365–366 (1970).
Van Driel, C.: On the distribution of the autonomie nervous system in the wall of the digestive tract of the rat. M. D. Thesis, Amsterdam (1972 a).
Van Driel, C.: Meissner's plexus. Acta Morphol. Neerl. -Scand.10, 388 (1972 b).
Van Driel, C.: Studies on the autonomie nervous system in the dog. In preparation.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Driel, C., Drukker, J. A contribution to the study of the architecture of the autonomic nervous system of the digestive tract of the rat. J. Neural Transmission 34, 301–320 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01242752
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01242752