Open AccessNerve fiber composition of the intracranial portion of the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves in the sheep
Author(s) -
Berardinelli Paolo,
Scapolo Pier Augusto,
Barazzoni Anna Maria,
Russo Valentina,
Bortolami Ruggero
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the anatomical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1097-0185
pISSN - 0003-276X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0185(20001101)260:3<294::aid-ar66>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - oculomotor nerve , trochlear nerve , abducens nerve , anatomy , oculomotor nucleus , sensory system , abducens nucleus , nerve fiber , eye movement , central nervous system , medicine , biology , midbrain , neuroscience , pathology , palsy , alternative medicine
In the present investigation, the fiber content and the diameter spectra of the intracranial portion of the three oculomotor nerves (oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves) were analysed in sheep by light and electron microscopy. It was determined that up to 14.98% of fibers in the oculomotor nerve, 17.01% in the trochlear nerve, and 11.87% in the abducens nerve were unmyelinated. The myelinated fibers showed a bimodal distribution in their size spectrum in all three nerves, with a majority of large myelinated axons, but a considerable proportion of small myelinated fibers, as well. The sensory function of the unmyelinated fibers present in the three oculomotor nerves is discussed also on the basis of our previous morphofunctional investigations. Anat Rec 260:294–298, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.