A morphological study of the axons and recurrent axon collaterals of cat alpha-motoneurones supplying different functional types of muscle unit. 1978

S Cullheim, and J O Kellerth

1. Cat alpha-motoneurones supplying muscle units of the soleus S type and gastrocnemius S, FR and FF types were injected intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase. 2. Ten alpha-motoneurones of each motor unit type were collected for morphological analysis of the intramedullary parts of their axonal systems including the recurrent axon collaterals. 3. The alpha-motor axon diameters in the spinal cord white matter were significantly smaller for the soleus motor units (mean = 5.2 micrometer) than for the gastrocnemius S units (mean = 6.4 micrometer), which in turn differed significantly from those of the gastrocnemius FR (mean 7.4 micrometer) and FF (mean = 7.3 micrometer types. 4. The number of axon collateral outbulgings, interpreted as synaptic terminals, which originated from the soleus motor axons (mean = 27.8) was significantly smaller, white that of the gastrocnemius FF motor axons (mean = 98.1) was significantly larger, than the number of outbulgings from the gastrocnemius S (mean = 44.4) and FR (mean = 53.8) motor axons. The latter two types were not significantly different. 5. In transverse sections the axon collateral outbulgings were found not only in the classical Renshaw cell area ventromedial to the main motor nuclei but also within the homonymous motor nucleus. However, only some of the neurones projected to the latter area. Rostrocaudally, the outbulgings were distributed within a distance of less than 1 mm around the position of the parent cell bodies. 6. Some physiological implications of the observed differences between axon collateral systems of various functional types of alpha-motoneurones were discussed in relation to the present knowledge of the effects of the recurrent axon collaterals during different types of involuntary and voluntary activation of the alpha-motoneurones.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D009132 Muscles Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals. Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
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
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
D001369 Axons Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body. Axon

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