Electron microscopic observations on the innervation of the sphincter of Oddi in the dog

The ultrastructure and acetylcholinesterase activity of the intrinsic innervation of the sphincter of Oddi of eight adult dogs was studied by electron microscopy. A rich distribution of unmyelinated axons embedded individually or as groups within Schwann cell cytoplasm ("innervation fasciculee"), is to be observed. A few myelinated fibres were also observed. Many of the axons are acetylcholinesterase-positive. Three main types of nerve terminals are distinguished according to their vesicle populations. Individual nerve cells or small groups of nerve cells were scattered between the smooth muscle bundles and in the lamina glandularis mucosae. The cytoplasm of some neurons contains many electron dense spherical bodies resembling "myeloid bodies", and many lysosomes. Nerve terminals synapse onto both neuronal perikarya and their dendrites. Within the nerve fascicles, close appositions between the terminals occur frequently probably representing the most peripheral inter-neuronal integrative link in the neural regulation of the function of the sphincter of Oddi. -- The gap between nerve terminals and smooth muscle cells usually measures several thousands of A. Closer appositions are seldom seen, and no synaptic complexes can be observed.