Premium
The Canaliculi of Williamson in Holostean Bone (Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii): a Structural and Ultrastructural Study
Author(s) -
Sire JeanYves,
Meunier François J.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1994.tb01211.x
Subject(s) - bone canaliculus , biology , actinopterygii , ultrastructure , cytoplasm , osteocyte , hemidesmosome , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology , microfilament , fish <actinopterygii> , cell , osteoblast , cytoskeleton , biochemistry , fishery , in vitro , genetics
The organization and structure of the canaliculi of Williamson and their associated cells are studied in the bone of various elements of the dermal skeleton and of the endoskeleton in extinct and living Holostei, and in regenerated scales of Lepisosteus oculatus. Light microscopical observations of ground and semi–thin sections of various skeletal elements confirm and complete previous data on the organization of the canaliculi. Transmission electron microscopy enables original descriptions of the cells of Williamson, of their cytoplasmic processes occupying the canaliculi of Williamson and of their environment. The cytoplasmic content of the cells of Williamson and their processes is composed mainly of microfilaments, microtubules, small vesicles and mitochondria; this does not resemble what is known for osteoblasts and odontoblasts. Moreover, as an alternative for the lack of ontogenetic series, regenerated scales are used to describe recently formed cells of Williamson at the upper scale surface and within vascular canals. Our cytological observations support a nutritive role for the cells of Williamson and their processes. The phylogenetical origins of the cells of Williamson are discussed.