Are Ranvier's nodes artifacts by preparation?

Institute of Neuroanatomy, University of Hamburg, FRG.

To avoid artifacts, native nerve fibers were investigated by phase contrast light microscopy. It was shown that Ranvier's nodes cannot be seen. At the sites at which they can be produced by thermal and chemical effects, a tight joint of the tube ends of the 'internodes' inverted to the inside are to be found. Some structures of Ranvier's nodes do not exist in intact living nerves. This fact can also be proved by electron micrography.

PMID: 1746221 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]