Journal of anatomy
-
Nerves and blood vessels are found in the peripheral annulus and endplates of healthy adult intervertebral discs. Degenerative changes can allow these vessels to grow inwards and become associated with discogenic pain, but it is not yet clear how far, and why, they grow in. Previously we have shown that physical disruption of the disc matrix, which is a defining feature of disc degeneration, creates free surfaces which lose proteoglycans and water, and so become physically and chemically conducive to cell migration. ⋯ The density of labelled blood vessels and nerves increased significantly with Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration and with local proteoglycan loss. Analysing multiple thick sections with fluorescent markers on a confocal microscope allows reliable detection of thin filamentous structures, even within a dense matrix. We conclude that, in degenerated and herniated discs, blood vessels and nerves are confined to proteoglycan-depleted regions of disrupted tissue, especially within annulus fissures.
-
Chondrocytes are the major cell type present in hyaline cartilage and they play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical resilience of the tissue through a balance of the synthesis and breakdown of extracellular matrix macromolecules. Histological assessment of cartilage suggests that articular chondrocytes in situ typically occur singly and demonstrate a rounded/elliptical morphology. However, there are suggestions that their grouping and fine shape is more complex and that these change with cartilage degeneration as occurs in osteoarthritis. ⋯ L0), with no change in the percentage of cells with L1 processes; however, there were significant increases in the other categories. In grade-0 cartilage, chondrocyte clustering and morphological abnormalities occurred and with degeneration these were exacerbated, particularly in the superficial zone. Chondrocyte clustering and abnormal morphology are associated with aberrant matrix metabolism, suggesting that these early changes to chondrocyte properties may be associated with cartilage degeneration.
-
Pulmonary alveolar septa are thought to contain at least two types of fibroblasts that are termed myofibroblasts and lipofibroblasts based on their morphological characteristics. Lipofibroblasts possess cytoplasmic lipid inclusions (lipid bodies or droplets) and are involved in several important functions, such as surfactant synthesis, development, vitamin A storage and presumably regeneration. As vitamin A was shown to reduce pulmonary emphysema in several but not all mouse and rat strains, we hypothesized that these strain differences might be explained by a differential occurrence of lipofibroblasts and their lipid bodies in various mouse strains. ⋯ The only mouse strain that differed significantly from the other strains was the NMRI strain because the lungs had a higher volume and consequently many of the morphological parameters were also larger than in the other groups. In conclusion, the present study showed that lipofibroblasts are a common cell type in the mouse lung across various strains. Therefore, the mere presence or absence of lipofibroblasts does not explain differences in the pulmonary regenerative potential among mouse strains.
-
Posterior projections of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (the ophthalmic nerve) are distributed in the tentorium cerebelli as recurrent meningeal branches. We investigated the morphological tentorial distribution of the ophthalmic nerve. Fifty-two sides of the tentorium cerebelli and adjacent dura mater obtained from 29 human specimens were stained using Sihler's method to examine the nerve fibres in the dural sheets. ⋯ The posterior part of the falx cerebri was innervated by the ophthalmic nerve that traversed to the straight sinus. The parietal branches of the middle meningeal artery in the lateral convexity that were projected orthogonally by the ophthalmic nerve traversed the transverse sinus, implicating their vulnerability and possible sensitivity under physiological or neurosurgical conditions. This study has revealed the macroscopic tentorial innervation of the dura mater in humans, which could be useful information for both neurosurgeons and neurologists.
-
Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.com) is the largest encyclopaedia in existence. Of over five million English-language articles, about 6000 relate to Anatomy, which are viewed roughly 30 million times monthly. ⋯ Article contributors, content, layout and accuracy are discussed, with a view to demystifying editing for anatomy professionals. A final request for edits or on-site feedback from anatomy professionals is made.