Fine Structure of the Locus Coeruleus in the Rat

摘要: The locus coeruleus of the rat was studied with Golgi method and electron microscope in an attempt to demonstrate morphological substrates for functional significance these monoamine neurons.The is mainly composed densely packed medium-sized, spindle-shaped nerve cells frequent soma spines, while rostral part nucleus medium-sized are less located mingled small oval cells. Most axons originating from take a rostro-ventral course usually giving off initial collateral. It interesting that some curious recurrent way or run caudalwards medulla oblongata after short course. Afferent fibers thick fine fibers, which make complicated neuropil around nurons. afferents enter ventral dorsal direction undulating tortuous among neurons, revealing axonal swelling many terminal boutons.The cytoplasm demonstrates marked aggregates rough surfaced ER prominent development complexes, contains large number lysosomal dense bodies. Large granular vesicles as seen bags only cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic protrusions characteristic cells, being moderate number, varying shape length (0.4-1.7μ) constituting mostly postsynaptic sites. Axo-somatic synapses contact axon terminals similar axo-soma spine synapses. nuropil different kinds axo-dendritic Occasionally one can observe thickened preterminal contacting several dendrites dendritic spines. Astroglial fill up interneuronal spaces mitochondria homogeneous content occasional lipofuscin granules.