Ultrastructural relationships between the receptor nerve fiber and surrounding lamellae in Krause end-bulbs.
The ultrastructural relationship between the receptor nerve fiber and the surrounding lamellae in Krause end-bulbs was discussed. Many sites of specialized junctions of symmetrical or asymmetrical type along the receptor nerve fiber and the surrounding lamellae were found. In addition, in close vicinity to them, spine-like digitations of the receptor nerve fiber, filled mainly with small clear vesicles, were observed. Mitochondrion-like cholinesterase-positive structures bulging in some cytoplasmic lamellae were also found. It is suggested that a functional link might exist between the specialized junctions, digitations and mitochrondrion-like structures in the transformation of external mechanical stimuli into nerve impulses.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013823:Thermoreceptors / Q000648:ultrastructure*