The morphometric myelinated fiber composition of D11 as compared to L3, L4 and L5 ventral spinal roots of man

Yasuo Kawamura, Peter James Dyck

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

As compared to the diameter frequency distribution of myelinated fibers of L3, L4 and L5 ventral spinal roots (VSRs) which have two well developed peaks [large-diameter axons (AL) and intermediate-diameter axons (AI)] and a poorly developed or non-existent peak of small-diameter axons (AS), Dll VSRs contain small AL and AI peaks and a prominent AS peak. Because the ratio of AL to AI myelinated fibers of Dll VSRs is similar to that in L3, L4 and L5 VSRs and it is known that Dll VSRs contain many pre-ganglionic autonomic fibers it seems likely that AS is composed predominantly of preganglionic autonomic fibers. The mean diameter of the AS peak in Dll VSRs is ~2.4 pm. Average numbers of AS, AI and AL myelinated fibers for Dll VSRs are 3835, 738 and 1545 per root. These values should be useful as controls for morphometric studies of various neuropathies. The average diameter positions of the peak of AL, AI and AS of Dll VSRs as compared to those of L3, L4 and L5 are displaced to smaller diameter categories which may reflect the smaller axon diameters of neurons which are shorter.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)846-852
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
Volume36
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1977

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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