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Quantitative histochemical studies on the cat infrahyoid muscles
Y Hisa1, L T Malmgren, M J Lyon
1State University of New York, Health Science Center, Syracuse.
Summary
Infrahyoid muscles in cats do not possess unusual muscle fiber types, unlike intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Their muscle fibers exhibit typical enzyme profiles, similar to those found in limb muscles.
Area of Science:
- Muscle Physiology
- Histochemistry
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- Intrinsic laryngeal muscles exhibit unique fiber characteristics, potentially due to specific activity patterns.
- Infrahyoid muscles share some functions with intrinsic laryngeal muscles, prompting an investigation into their fiber composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if cat infrahyoid muscles (sternohyoid, sternothyroid, thyrohyoid) contain unusual muscle fiber types.
- To compare the histochemical and morphological properties of infrahyoid muscle fibers with known fiber types.
Main Methods:
- Microdensitometry was employed to analyze type I, type IIA, and type IIB muscle fibers.
- Histochemical techniques assessed enzymatic markers for oxidative and glycolytic capacity.
- Muscle fiber size was also measured.
Main Results:
- Infrahyoid muscles were found to be composed of muscle fibers with enzyme profiles generally similar to those of limb muscles.
- No unusual fiber types with distinct biochemical or morphological characteristics were identified in the studied infrahyoid muscles.
Conclusions:
- The muscle fiber types in cat infrahyoid muscles are not unique and resemble those found in limb muscles.
- Unlike intrinsic laryngeal muscles, infrahyoid muscles do not appear to possess specialized fiber types for their functions.