Anatomical and histological data on the ciliary ganglion in the Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus Desmarest)

The morphology and topography of the ciliary ganglion in the Egyptian spiny mouse were studied with use of histochemical and histological techniques. The ciliary ganglion of the Egyptian spiny mouse consisted of between 3 and 4 agglomerations of nerve cells. The largest was situated at the point where the ventral branch of the oculomotor nerve divides into two branches. The next two smaller aggregations were located on the superior and lateral surfaces of the optic nerve where it crossed the oculomotor nerve. From the main agglomerations of neurocytes arose between 3 and 4 intensively stained postganglionic cholinergic fibres. These followed the optic nerve to the eyeball. On the crosssections of these bundles small agglomerations of neurocytes were observed. These decreased in size to only 2 or 3 cells towards the sclera. The ganglionic neurocytes in the largest ganglion varied from 15 to 30 µm in diameter. They were distributed uniformly over the whole surface of the sections. All the ganglia had connective capsules

Rare morphological variants of the bones: epicondylar processes, metopic suture and Wormian bones in XVIII century skeleton

Background: Analysis of the female skeleton from the 18th century revealed a collection of morphological changes. Materials and methods: Anthropological evaluation and dental X-ray techniques allowed the age to be determined at 12–13 years. Results: The distal parts of the both humerus bones had distinct, supracondylar processes of about 5 mm at the medial-lateral surface. The frontal bone had a well-preserved metopic suture along the entire length of the squama. There were also two Wormian bones (Inca bones), asymmetrical mastoid foramen, and only left non-obliterated condylar canal. Conclusions: The skull measurements allowed the cranial index to be determined — 93.5 (brachycephalia) and height-length index — 98.6 (akrocephalus). Moreover, X-ray analysis of incomplete dentition was made

Morphology and immunohistochemical characteristics of the pterygopalatine ganglion in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger, Molina)

Histological and histochemical investigations revealed that the pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) in the chinchilla is a structure closely connected with the maxillary nerve. Macro-morphological observations disclosed two different forms of the ganglion: an elongated stripe representing single agglomeration of nerve cells, and a ganglionated plexus comprising smaller aggregations of neurocytes connected with nerve fibres. Immunohistochemistry revealed that nearly 80% of neuronal cell bodies in PPG stained for acetylcholine transferase (CHAT) but only about 50% contained immunoreactivity to vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VACHT). Many neurons (40%) were vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-positive. Double-staining demonstrated that approximately 20% of the VIP-immunoreactive neurons were VACHT-negative. Some neurons (10%) in PPG were simultaneously VACHT/nitric oxide synthase (NOS)- or Met-enkephaline (Met-ENK)/CHAT-positive, respectively. A small number of the perikarya stained for somatostatin (SOM) and solitary nerve cell bodies expressed Leu-ENK- and galanin-immunoreactivity. Interestingly about 5-8% of PPG neurons exhibited immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Intraganglionic nerve fibres containing immunoreactivity to VACHT-, VIP- and Met-ENK- were numerous, those stained for calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)- and substance P (SP)- were scarce, and single nerve terminals were TH-, GAL-, VIP- and NOS-positive