LAB 6 HISTOLOGY NOTES

NERVOUS SYSTEM














A
B















Peripheral Nerve
Peripheral nerves are composed of bundles of nerve fibers held together by connective tissue and a specialized layer (or
layers) of cells, the perineurium (Pn). The connective tissue consists of an outer layer, the epineurium (Epn),
surrounding the whole nerve; the perineurium, surrounding bundles of nerve fibers; and the endoneurium, associated
with individual neurons. Each nerve fiber consists of an axon that is surrounded by a cellular covering called the
neurilemma (NI, or the sheath of Schwann. The fiber may be myelinated or unmyelinated. The myelin, if present, is
immediately around the axon and is formed by the concentric wrapping of the Schwann cell around the axon. This, in
turn, is surrounded by the major portion of the cytoplasm of the Schwann cell, forming the neurilemma (NI).
Unmyelinated axons rest in grooves in the Schwann cell.

(A) Peripheral nerve, longitudinal section, femoral nerve, H&E. This cross-section shows several bundles of nerve fibers
(BNF). The external cover for the entire nerve is the epineurium (Epn), the layer of dense connective tissue that one
touches when a nerve has been exposed during a dissection. The epineurium may also serve as part of the outermost

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cover of individual bundles. It contains blood vessels (BV) and may contain some fat cells. Typically, adipose tissue (AT)
is found about the nerve. (BV) = blood vessel.

Figure (B) shows, at higher magnification, the perineurium (Pn). As seen in the cross-section through the nerve, the
nuclei of the perineurial cells appear flat and elongate; they are actually being viewed on edge and belong to flat cells
that are also being viewed on edge. Again, as noted by the distribution of nuclei, it can be ascertained that the
perineurium is only a few cells thick. The perineurium (Pn) and epineurium (Epn) are readily distinguished in the triangular
area nerve fibers (BNF). The external cover for the entire nerve is the epineurium (Epn), the layer of dense connective
tissue that one touches when a nerve has been exposed during a dissection. The epineurium may also serve as part of
the outermost cover of individual bundles. It contains blood vessels (BV) and may contain some fat cells. Typically,
adipose tissue (AT) is found about the nerve.

The nerve fibers included in Figure (B) are mostly myelinated, and because the nerve is cross-sectioned, the nerve fibers
are also seen in this plane. They have a characteristic cross-sectional profile. Each nerve fiber shows a centrally placed
axon (A); this is surrounded by a myelin space (M). External to the myelin space is a thin cytoplasmic rim representing the
neurilemma. On occasion, a Schwann cell nucleus (SS) appears to be perched on the neurilemma (NI). As shown, the
upper edge of the nuclear crescent appears to occupy the same plane as that occupied by the neurilemma (N). These
features enable one to identify the nucleus as belonging to a Schwann (neurilemma) cell. Other nuclei are not related to
the neurilemma but, rather, appear to be between the nerve fibers. Such nuclei belong to the rare fibroblasts (F) of the
endoneurium. The latter is the delicate connective tissue between the individual nerve fibers; it is extremely sparse and
contains the capillaries (C ) of the nerve bundle.

A B

Photomicrographs of a peripheral nerve in cross (A) and longitudinal sections (B).

[A] Photomicrograph of an peripheral nerve cut in cross-section. The axons (A) appear clear. The myelin is represented
by the dark ring surrounding the axons. Note the variation in diameter of the individual axons. In some of the nerves, the
myelin appears to consist of two separate rings (asterisks). This is caused by the section passing through a Schmidt-
Lanterman (SL) cleft. Epi, epineurium. ×640. [B]. Photomicrograph showing longitudinally sectioned myelinated nerve
axons (A) in the same preparation as above. A node of Ranvier (NR) is seen near the center of the micrograph. In the
same axon, a Schmidt-Lanterman cleft (SL) is seen on each side of the node. In addition, a number of Schmidt-
Lanterman clefts can be seen in the adjacent axons. The perinodal cytoplasm of the Schwann cell at the node of Ranvier
and the Schwann cell cytoplasm at the Schmidt-Lanterman cleft appear virtually unstained. ×640.

PACINIAN CORPUSCLE

The cell body of a motor neuron is located in the ventral (anterior) horn of the gray matter of the spinal cord. Its axon,
surrounded by myelin, leaves the spinal cord via a ventral (anterior) root and becomes part of a spinal nerve that carries it
to its destination on striated (skeletal) muscle fibers. The sensory neuron originates in the skin within a receptor (here, a
Pacinian corpuscle) and continues as a component of a spinal nerve, entering the spinal cord via the dorsal (posterior)
root. Note the location of its cell body in the dorsal root ganglion (sensory ganglion). A segment of the spinal nerve is
enlarged to show the relationship of the nerve fibers to the surrounding connective tissue (endoneurium, perineurium,
and epineurium). In addition, segments of the sensory, motor and autonomic unmyelinated neurons have been enlarged
to show the relationship of the axons to the Schwann cells.

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Lamellar corpuscles (such as Pacinian Corpuscles) sense stimuli due to the deformation of their lamellae, which press on
the membrane of the sensory neuron and causes it to bend or stretch. When the lamellae are deformed, due to either
pressure or release of pressure, a generator potential is created as it physically deforms the plasma membrane of
the receptive area of the neuron, making it "leak" Na+ ions. If this potential reaches a certain threshold will be
transferred along the axon.

Pacinian corpuscles are large ovoid structures found in the deeper dermis and hypodermis (especially in the fingertips),
in connective tissue in general, and in association with joints, periosteum, and internal organs. Pacinian corpuscles
usually have macroscopic dimensions, measuring more than 1 mm along their long axis. They are composed of a
myelinated nerve ending surrounded by a capsule structure. The nerve enters the capsule at one pole with its myelin
sheath intact. The myelin is retained for one or two nodes and is then lost. The unmyelinated portion of the axon extends
toward the opposite pole from which it entered, and its length is covered by a series of tightly packed, flattened
Schwann cell lamellae that form the inner core of the corpuscle. The remainder or bulk of the capsule, the outer core, is
formed by a series of concentric lamellae; each lamella is separated from its neighbor by a narrow space containing
lymphlike fluid. The appearance of the concentric lamellae as observed in the light microscope is reminiscent of the cut
surface of a hemisected onion.
MEISSNER’S CORPUSCLE
Touch receptors that are particularly responsive to low-frequency stimuli in the papillary layer of hairless skin (e.g., the
lips and the palmar and volar surfaces, particularly those of the fingers and toes). Generally, they are tapered cylinders
that measure about 150 μm along their long axis and are oriented perpendicular to the skin surface. Meissner's
corpuscles are present in the dermal papillae just beneath the epidermal basal lamina. Within these receptors, one or
two unmyelinated endings of myelinated nerve fibers follow spiral paths in the corpuscle. The cellular component
consists of flattened Schwann cells that form several irregular lamellae through which the axons course to the pole of the
corpuscle.

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