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The adrenal‐autonomic complex in Alligator mississippiensis
Author(s) -
Lawton Florence Emily
Publication year - 1937
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1050600204
Subject(s) - biology , anatomy , alligator , medullary cavity , autonomic nervous system , inferior vena cava , kidney , adrenal medulla , medicine , endocrinology , blood pressure , catecholamine , paleontology , heart rate
The adrenal‐autonomic systems were studied in embryonic and juvenile alligators. In the class Reptilia virtually no previous work has been done on the adrenal‐autonomic systems. The adrenals are definite bodies, distinct from the kidney. In young forms they are in close proximity to the gonads and in both the embryonic and young forms the adrenals lie against the wall of the inferior vena cava. Cortical cells predominate. In embryonic forms the medullary tissue is not dispersed as in older forms. The medullary tissue lies in close proximity to the blood sinuses or may completely surround them. The arterial supply is scanty there being only a few small arteries to the adrenal while the blood supply from the inferior vena cava is profuse. The innervation is segmental in nature with four or five consecutive sympathetic ganglia giving off sympathetic nerves to the adrenal. Parasympathetic innervation was not observed in the forms studied. The innervation suggests a transition from lower forms with their segmental diffuse medullary material to the higher forms that display concentration of nerve supply and adrenal tissue.