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Fine sensory innervation of the knee joint capsule by group III and group IV nerve fibers in the cat
Author(s) -
Heppelmann B.,
Messlinger K.,
Neiss W. F.,
Schmidt R. F.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.903510308
Subject(s) - perineurium , anatomy , sensory system , mechanoreceptor , biology , free nerve ending , joint capsule , capsule , sensory nerve , ultrastructure , articular capsule of the knee joint , knee joint , neuroscience , medicine , peripheral nerve , botany , surgery
Afferent group III and IV nerve fibers of the knee joint markedly differ in their responsiveness to mechanical stimulation, which may be reflected in the structure and location of their terminals. Therefore, in sympathectomized cats, the fine afferent innervation of the knee joint capsule was studied via ultrastructural three‐dimensional reconstructions over distance of up 300 μm. Small peripheral nerves and “free” (noncorpuscular) sensory nerve ending were found in a superficial layer of the outer fibrous part of the capsule, in the patellar retinaculum, and in the outer and inner surface layers of the medial collateral and patellar ligaments. Group III nerve fibers showed a proximal myelinated portion inside the nerve, an intermediate portion that lacks a myelin sheath and is only surrounded by perineurium, and a distal portion outside of the perineurium that forms the sensory ending proper. Group IV fibers showed only two distinct portions, an intraperineurial (proximal) and an extraperineurial (distal) portion without any further morphological differences. Outside of the perineurium, a network formed by Schwann cells (“Schwann cell reticulum”) provides a pathway for the distal portion of the sensory axons. No distinct subgroups of the sensory terminal fibers could be defined according to the configuration of the Schwann cells and the nerve fiber terminals. Sensory terminals were located adjacent to different structures such as venous and lymphatic veesels, fat cells, and collagenous fibers. Distinct parts of the same terminal nerve fiber were found in close contact to a vessel wall; others were surrounded by dense collagenous tissue. Close to sensory endings, mast cells and mast cell‐like cells were frequently found, indicating a functional relationship. © 1995 Willy‐Liss, Inc.