[Histophysiology of the peripheral vegetative system. With special reference to mast cells]

Basallaminae of Schwanncell ensheathed axons and "naked" axons respectively have contact areas between the endformation of the peripheral vegetative nervious system and gröundsubstance. The latter, however, merges directly in the glycocalyces of connective tissue cells and organ cells. These cells may be related to one another (i.e. microvilli, cell processes, glycocalyces etc.) or will form "neuroeffector areas" together with pre- and terminal peripheral vegetative nerve fibers. On the other hand axon swellings might discharge their neurotransmitter substances into the ground substance in such way the neighbouring cells might be influenced ("synapse on distance"). Mast cells may act as regulators of the relationships in the groundsubstance. This because of the connections of mast cells with the peripheral nervous system and consequently with the CNS and the hormonale system. Thus the vegetative periphery as a whole would form a functional unit.