Staining of human thyroarytenoid muscle with myosin antibodies reveals some unique extrafusal fibers, but no muscle spindles.
This study describes the myosin composition of extrafusal and intrafusal muscle fibers found in the human thyroarytenoid (TA) and sternohyoid (control) muscles. We sought to determine the presence of muscle spindles in the TA muscle, and to identify unusual extrafusal fiber types, using the commonly accepted approach of tissue staining with myosin isoform specific antibodies. Extrafusal fibers are organized into motor units, which subsequently produce muscle movement, whereas intrafusal fibers compose muscle spindles, the primary stretch receptor that provides afferent (feed back) information to the nervous system for regulation of motor unit length and tonicity. Immunohistochemical identification of muscle spindles was confirmed in sternohyoid, but not in TA samples; however, some extrafusal fibers contained tonic myosin. These results indicate that human TA muscle functions similar to some mammalian extraocular muscle, performing unloaded (non-weight bearing) contractions without afferent information from native muscle spindles.
Brandon
Carla A
CA
Department of Orthodontics, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261-1032, USA.
Rosen
Clark
C
Georgelis
George
G
Horton
Michael J
MJ
Mooney
Mark P
MP
Sciote
James J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009218:Myosins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013961:Thyroid Gland
D000906:Antibodies; D009218:Myosins