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A pineal ganglion associated with the pineal tract in the domestic fowl

Cell and Tissue Research volume 252, pages 287–292 (1988)Cite this article

Summary

A ganglion-like aggregate consisting of acetyl-cholinesterase-positive neurons was demonstrated in the pineal organ of the domestic fowl by means of light and electron microscopy. This ganglion is located in juxtaposition with the pineal tract at the posterior (caudal) aspect of the pineal stalk. Numerous large and small neurons formed the ganglion in 40-day-old domestic fowl. Some of these nerve cells established direct neuro-neuronal contacts, others were surrounded by satellite cells. These ganglion cells displayed axo-somatic and axo-dendritic synapses. The above-mentioned cluster of nerve cells may be considered as a “pineal ganglion”. Its central or peripheral nature is open to discussion.

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Author notes

  1. Tetsuji Sato

    Present address: Institut für Anatomie und Zytobiologie der Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Federal Republic of Germany

Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan

    Tetsuji Sato & Sachiko Ebisawa

Authors
  1. Tetsuji Sato
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  2. Sachiko Ebisawa
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Send offprint requests to: Dr. K. Wake, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, 113, Japan

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Sato, T., Ebisawa, S. A pineal ganglion associated with the pineal tract in the domestic fowl. Cell Tissue Res. 252, 287–292 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214370

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214370

Key words

  • Pineal organ
  • Pineal ganglion
  • Pineal tract
  • Innervation
  • Domestic fowl