Histochemical demonstration of adrenergic fibers in the fascia periosteum and retinaculum.
Adrenergic nerve fibers were demonstrated in the fascia, periosteum and retinaculum using the formaldehyde method of Falck--Hillarp and the recently developed glyoxylic acid method. A typical adrenergic plexus was seen around the vessels. The arteries and arterioles received a dense adrenergic nerve supply. The veins had a sparse adrenergic innervation and the venules and capillaries were apparently without adrenergic innervation. These distribution patterns of adrenergic fibers were fundamentally similar to those seen in various organs. A difference in the pattern of innervation was seen, however, in the arterioles betweeen the fascia, and periosteum and retinaculum. Furthermore, chemical sympathectomy induced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine resulted in the disappearance of noradrenaline fluorescence and marked vasodilation in the fascial vascular bed, and a moderate vasodilation in the periosteum and retinaculum. These findings suggest that the role of adrenergic fiber is vasoconstrictor and these fibers regulate the circulation in the fascia, periosteum and retinaculum.
D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000294:innervation; D001160:Arterioles / Q000294:innervation; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000294:innervation*; D005205:Fascia / Q000098:blood supply*; D005269:Femur; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000294:innervation; D010521:Periosteum / Q000098:blood supply*; D051381:Rats; D014661:Vasoconstriction; D014680:Veins / Q000294:innervation