Summary
The histochemistry and fine structure of human fetal superior cervical ganglion has been studied in 5 fetuses aged from the 13th to the 15th week.
The largest neuroblasts of the ganglia contained catecholamines, as was demonstrated by formaldehyde induced fluorescence. Special attention was given to the dense-cored vesicles in the neuronal cytoplasm. The same large neuroblasts probably also gave a positive reaction to acetylcholine esterase.
The cells of the sympathetic ganglia were divided into five groups. The most primitive cells, representative of the neuronal differentiation, were the primitive sympathetic cells. These evidently developed towards the sympathetic neuron via two stages named neuroblast type I and II. In addition to the neuroblastic series of cells, catecholamine storing (or SIF-) cells and satellite cells were described. Synaptic profiles were only occasionally found on the cellular surface of the larger type of neuroblast.
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Hervonen, A., Kanerva, L. Cell types of human fetal superior cervical ganglion. Z. Anat. Entwickl. Gesch. 137, 257–269 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00519096
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00519096