title: Innervation of the arteriovenous anastomoses in the dog tongue.
abstract: Profiles of nerve plexuses in the arteriovenous anastomoses of the dog tongue were investigated by both transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Three-dimensional morphology of the vascular nerves was examined after removal of the connective tissue components by the HCl-hydrolysis method. Tight bending and a rich nerve supply were the most characteristic features of the anastomosing channels. The tunica media consisted of an outer circular layer of typical smooth-muscle cells and an inner region containing longitudinal plicae of ramified smooth-muscle cells. The tunica adventitia was exclusively occupied by nerve bundles; fibroblasts were poorly developed. Numerous nerve bundles of variable size were coiled around the anastomosing channels, and occasional bundles ran crosswise over the U-shaped bent vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iijima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishijima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis / Q000294:innervation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014059:Tongue / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation