Localization of mechanoreceptors in the vibrissae of the rat by staining for cholinesterase activity (ChE)
Böck, P.
Zeitschrift für Mikroskopisch-Anatomische Forschung 101(1): 79-90
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-3107 PMID: 3617880 Document Number: 301416
Vibrissae of the laboratory rat are richly innervated with myelinated fibers that supply 4 distinct receptor regions: 1. A circular band of terminals situated just above the sebaceous gland where the external hair follicle is connected to the reticular layer of the dermis belonging to the mouth of the sinus hair follicle; Region a; 2. a similar band of terminals just below the sebaceous gland in the dermal connective tissue at the level of the neck of the follicle; Region b; 3. a collar of palisade-like lanceolate terminals which are attached to the outer root sheath above to the ring bulge; the palisades are arranged in parallel to the direction of the hair shaft; Region c; 4. a cuff of branching terminals which form a net at the surface of the outer root sheath below to the ring bulge; Region d. As soon as the myelin sheath of the supplying axons ends, the terminals show strong unspecific cholinesterase activity and staining for cholinesterase proves useful synoptically to demonstrate the topography of the receptor terminals. The terminals in areas are assumed to be connected to Merkel cells. In adults, unspecific cholinesterase staining is characteristic for terminal Schwann cells. The histochemical reaction shows the distribution of this special type of Schwann cell which retains unspecific cholinesterase activity that otherwise is characterisic for developing Schwann cells.