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Recurrent laryngeal nerve post-natal development in rats.
Nara Terezinha Montali Silva Lima1, Valéria Paula Sassoli Fazan, José Fernando Colafêmina
1Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|June 26, 2007
Summary
The left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in rats grows longer than the right with age, and myelinated fiber counts decrease in older animals. This study details normal RLN development patterns in rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Normal patterns of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) development and post-natal maturation in rats are not well-documented.
- Understanding these patterns is crucial for interpreting pathological changes in experimental neuropathies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microscopic aspects of myelinated fibers in the post-natal developing rat recurrent laryngeal nerve.
- To analyze longitudinal morphology and lateral symmetry of the RLN in developing rats.
Main Methods:
- Studied recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) from male rats (20-250 days) and female rats (76-150 days) using light microscopy.
- Compared morphometric data across proximal, medium, and distal segments, between left and right sides, ages, and genders.
Main Results:
- The left RLN was significantly longer than the right in all age groups, with this difference increasing with age.
- A decrease in myelinated fiber number was observed with age, particularly in older animals and on the left side.
- Age-dependent shifts in fiber diameter distribution (unimodal to bimodal histograms) were noted, but no significant side or segment differences were found.
Conclusions:
- The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) undergoes morphological changes during development and aging in rats.
- This study provides a baseline for normal RLN development, aiding the study of laryngeal nerve pathologies.
