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Special muscle cells and their innervation in the mammalian small intestine

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Summary

The innermost layer of the circular musculature of the ileum of the guinea-pig, mouse, rat, rabbit, cat and dog is made of special small and dark muscle cells (sd cells), which can be identified by light and electron microscopy. These cells have a higher surface to volume ratio than ordinary muscle cells. They show all the organelles of smooth muscle cells and are in close relationship with a great number of extrinsic and intrinsic nerve fibres. They send numerous thin cytoplasmic processes towards the bulk of the circular layer, but nexuses between the sd cells and ordinary muscle cells are not found. It is suggested that some of the nerve fibres in this part of the circular layer are motor, setting the sd cells to a given length, and some are afferent in luminal pressure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT, London, England

    G. Gabella

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  1. G. Gabella
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I thank Professor E. G. Gray for criticism of the manuscript, Miss A. B. Colwin for technical assistance, and The Wellcome Trust for financial support.

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Gabella, G. Special muscle cells and their innervation in the mammalian small intestine. Cell Tissue Res. 153, 63–77 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225446

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00225446

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