Abstract

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.

LLU Discipline

Anatomy

Department

Anatomy

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Pedro B. Nava

Second Advisor

William M. Hooker

Third Advisor

Donald D. Rafuse

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1983

Date (Title Page)

6-1983

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Nerve Endings; Meissner Corpuscles.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

2; vi; 64

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage 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.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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