Sizes of soma and stem dendrites in intracellularly labelled alpha-motoneurones of the cat. 1981

B Zwaagstra, and D Kernell

The morphology of identified hindlimb motoneurones was studied after intracellular labelling with Procion yellow (59 cells), Procion red (19 cells) or horseradish peroxidase (9 cells). With respect to the measurements performed, all three intracellular labels gave similar results. As judged by their axonal conduction velocity (62-117 m/sec) all included cells were alpha-motoneurones. The motoneuronal cell bodies had cross-sectional areas of 816-3732 sq. microns, corresponding to diameters of about 32-69 microns. On average each neurone had 12 (5-20) dendritic stems. For all cells together, the number of dendritic stems per neurone was not strongly correlated to soma diameter. In the whole material, the dendritic stem diameters varied between about 0.5 and 19 microns. Stem dendrites of 4-5 microns were common in all kinds of cells, whereas thicker dendritic stems were preferentially distributed to cells with larger somas. The maximum as well as the mean stem-dendrite diameter (d) per cell was clearly correlated to, and roughly proportional to, the diameter of the cell body. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the dendritic stems emanating from a cell ('sum of dendritic holes' = sigma pi d2/4) was roughly proportional to the volume of the soma. Quadriceps motoneurones had a markedly greater number of dendritic stems per cell (mean 16.9) than other kinds of hindlimb motoneurones studied (mean 11.5; includes motoneurones of the hamstring muscles, triceps surae and intrinsic foot muscles). The many quadruceps dendrites were, however, also relatively thin, and the average ratio between 'sum of dendritic holes' and soma volume was the same for quadriceps motoneurones as for the other cells.

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
D009431 Neural Conduction The propagation of the NERVE IMPULSE along the nerve away from the site of an excitation stimulus. Nerve Conduction,Conduction, Nerve,Conduction, Neural,Conductions, Nerve,Conductions, Neural,Nerve Conductions,Neural Conductions
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
D003712 Dendrites Extensions of the nerve cell body. They are short and branched and receive stimuli from other NEURONS. Dendrite
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D006614 Hindlimb Either of two extremities of four-footed non-primate land animals. It usually consists of a FEMUR; TIBIA; and FIBULA; tarsals; METATARSALS; and TOES. (From Storer et al., General Zoology, 6th ed, p73) Hindlimbs
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

Related Publications

B Zwaagstra, and D Kernell
November 1982, The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience,
B Zwaagstra, and D Kernell
January 1987, Experimental brain research,
Copied contents to your clipboard!