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Sensory contributions to the spinal accessory nerve in humans
Author(s) -
Boehm Karl Edward
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.725.2
Subject(s) - spinal cord , anatomy , sensory system , cell bodies , neuron , spinal nerve , sensory neuron , accessory nerve , h&e stain , medicine , biology , central nervous system , pathology , neuroscience , staining
The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of microscopic sensory ganglia within the spinal portion of the accessory nerve (SCN XI). Ten cervical spinal cord segments were removed from human cadavers in the anatomy lab at A.T. Still University ‐ Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Fifteen SCN XI were removed from the cervical spinal cords in segments from each spinal level. The segments from each nerve were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin starting with cervical spinal level 1 (C1) in parallel descending order. Embedded samples were sectioned at 12 μm and placed on slides. Sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin. The slides were examined using light microscopy and results were recorded digitally. Neuron cell bodies were observed in all of the specimens (100%). The total number of neuron cell bodies ranged from 37 to 531 per nerve with an average of 207 cell bodies per nerve. Neurons cell bodies were observed at spinal levels C1–C5 and non‐grossly visible ganglia were observed at levels C1–C4. Based on the somatic origin of CN XI we conclude that cell bodies observed in CN XI belong to psuedounipolar neurons, which are the most common peripheral afferent nerve cells. The results from this study indicate that CN XI contains a sensory component. Research support provided by the Graduate Program at A.T. Still University. Grant Funding Source : Graduate Program at A.T. Still University.