Age-changes of the Neuronal Component of Meissner Corpuscles in the Mouse Digital Pad

<p>Silver impregnated sections of mouse digital pads were studied using light microscopy to detect age-related changes of the neuronal component of Meissner corpuscles. Direct microscopic observation, photomicrographs and camera lucida tracing were utilized. From qualitative observation, the corpuscular neurites were found to undergo morphological age-related changes of diameter, tortuosity, varicosity, branching and terminal expansion size. Quantitative examination was made of the number of corpuscles, corpuscular neurites, branching neurites, cross-innervations, terminal neurite expansions, neurite intraepidermal continuations and terminal axonal processes. The number of corpuscles and neurite intraepidermal continuations decreased with age while having significant linear correlation; whereas, branching increased with age while having significant linear correlation. Using camera lucida tracings, measurements were made with a Lenz Videoplan computer to determine changes of length and area of the neurites. Significant linear correlation for an age-change of length was not shown, but an increase with age until 12 months was indicated. However, area showed linear correlation, increasing with advancing age. Physiological correlates of the morphological findings were discussed.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Anatomy

Year

1983

Author dc:creator

• Mathewson, Roger C.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Pedro B. Nava
• William M. Hooker
• Donald D. Rafuse

• Anatomy
• Animal Experimentation and Research
• Nervous System
• Neuroscience and Neurobiology
• Nerve Endings; Meissner Corpuscles.

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1735

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2374