Unmyelinated sensory and preganglionic fibers in rat L6 and S1 ventral spinal roots

J Comp Neurol. 1980 Sep 1;193(1):41-7. doi: 10.1002/cne.901930103.

Abstract

Approximately 30% of the axons in the L6 and S1 ventral roots in the rat are unmyelinated. Appropriate surgical procedures show that 30% of these unmyelinated axons arise from dorsal root ganglion cells and are therefore presumably sensory. Thus approximately 10% of the total number of axons in these ventral roots are sensory. The other 70% of the unmyelinated axons come from the spinal cord and are therefore presumably preganglionic parasympathetic fibers. Thus approximately 20% of the axons in these ventral roots are unmyelinated preganglionic fibers. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic / ultrastructure
  • Cell Count
  • Ganglia, Spinal / surgery
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Nerve Fibers / ultrastructure*
  • Neurons, Afferent / cytology
  • Peripheral Nerves / surgery
  • Rats
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / cytology*
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / surgery
  • Sympathectomy