Abstract
An ultrastructural study of peripheral extensions (dendrites) of type I ganglion cells in seven healthy adult cats and one cat that underwent bilateral cochlear injection of neomycin was undertaken. Morphologic evidence revealed that the peripheral process (dendrite) consistently has a smaller diameter than the central process. As the dendrite reaches the cell body, there is a constricted segment with a length that ranges from 10 to 30 μm, and a diameter of 0.5 μm. This region is covered by a continuous myelin sheath that does not thin. The central process (axon) does not have a corresponding constriction, and consists of a myelin covered, smoothly tapered segment that extends to the first axonal node of Ranvier. In the deafened cat, some cell bodies of the surviving ganglion cells appeared to have a residual portion of dendrite. These morphologic characteristics might have physiologic implications both in the mechanisms of normal hearing and in cochlear implantation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 19-24 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Laryngoscope |
Volume | 100 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1990 |
Externally published | Yes |