Morphometric study of the human muscle spindle.
OBJECTIVE
To study the morphometric characteristics of the human muscle spindle in normal muscle and to investigate the influence of aging.


METHODS
The following variables were studied in 72 spindles: area and diameter of the spindle; thickness of the capsule; number, area and diameter of fibers; and number and area of nuclei.


RESULTS
In deltoid and extensor digitorum brevis muscles, a reduction in the diameter of the spindle as a function of age was found, while no statistically significant change in the variables as a function of age was observed in the quadriceps femoris and biceps muscles. In the deltoid, a reduction in the number of fibers and an increase in their diameter were also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings could prove useful in the study of the spindle in relation to disease.
Kararizou
Evangelia
E
Department of Neurology, Athens National University, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece. ekarariz@med.uoa.gr
Manta
Panagiota
P
Kalfakis
Nikolaos
N
Vassilopoulos
Dimitrios
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009470:Muscle Spindles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology