Membrane architecture of myelinated nerve fibres in the human dental pulp studied by freeze-fracturing

Arch Oral Biol. 1985;30(2):121-8. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(85)90103-7.

Abstract

The outer surface of the myelin sheath was well visualized in electron micrographs of replicas and the distribution of its cytoplasm-containing portions could be analysed. Numerous caveolae, probably representing the surface stomata of endo- or exocytotic vesicles were found on the plasmalemmal surface overlying organelle-rich cytoplasmic regions. Membrane specializations of the tight-junction type were found at the outer and inner mesaxons of the myelin sheath as well as at the Ranvier node and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures. Presuming that so-called leakiness is related to the junctional morphology, these junctions would be classified as moderately leaky. The morphological features of the Schwann-cell nuclear envelope were essentially as described for other mammalian cells.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Dental Pulp / innervation*
  • Dental Pulp / ultrastructure
  • Freeze Fracturing
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Junctions / ultrastructure
  • Intracellular Membranes / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Myelin Sheath / ultrastructure
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / ultrastructure*
  • Nuclear Envelope / ultrastructure