Morphology of HRP-injected spinocervical tract neurons: effect of dorsal rhizotomy. 1986

M J Sedivec, and J J Capowski, and L M Mendell

Twenty-five physiologically identified spinocervical tract (SCT) neurons in the sixth lumbar segment of the cat were filled with HRP by intracellular injection. All were reconstructed from sagittal sections using the camera lucida, and a subset (n = 18) was also reconstructed using a computer reconstruction system. Thirteen cells were in intact preparations, nine were in spared root preparations (L5, L6, S1, S2 cut; L7 spared), and three were in preparations with L5 through S2 cut. Analysis of the dendritic tree of these neurons revealed little change in gross morphology after partial deafferentation despite increased proportions sensitive to nociceptive input (Sedivec et al., 1983). The dendrites still largely respected the lamina II-III border, and relatively few dendrites were directed ventrally from the cell body, although the ratio of ventral to dorsal dendrites was greater than normal. The major change was an increase in surface area and volume caused by changes in diameter (but not length) of the dendrites. Larger-than-usual maximum branch order of individual dendritic trees of some cells was also observed after chronic deafferentation. Thus, SCT cells in deafferented segments do not undergo atrophy, but show, rather, limited signs of growth and the possibility of dendritic reorganization. We have also computed correlations between different parameters of these cells (cell body size, number and size of primary dendrites, total area and length of individual dendrites) and have found that, as in motoneurons, diameter of the primary dendrite measured 30 micron from the soma is significantly correlated with total dendritic surface area and length. SCT neurons tend to have more dendrites than spinal alpha-motoneurons, but total surface area is smaller for a given diameter of a proximal dendrite.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008433 Mathematics The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Mathematic
D009046 Motor Neurons Neurons which activate MUSCLE CELLS. Neurons, Motor,Alpha Motorneurons,Motoneurons,Motor Neurons, Alpha,Neurons, Alpha Motor,Alpha Motor Neuron,Alpha Motor Neurons,Alpha Motorneuron,Motoneuron,Motor Neuron,Motor Neuron, Alpha,Motorneuron, Alpha,Motorneurons, Alpha,Neuron, Alpha Motor,Neuron, Motor
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D003201 Computers Programmable electronic devices designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Calculators, Programmable,Computer Hardware,Computers, Digital,Hardware, Computer,Calculator, Programmable,Computer,Computer, Digital,Digital Computer,Digital Computers,Programmable Calculator,Programmable Calculators
D003712 Dendrites Extensions of the nerve cell body. They are short and branched and receive stimuli from other NEURONS. Dendrite
D005260 Female Females
D006735 Horseradish Peroxidase An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology. Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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