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Innervation of cervical ventral facet joint capsule: Histological evidence
Srinivasu Kallakuri1, Yan Li, Chaoyang Chen
1Srinivasu Kallakuri, Yan Li, Chaoyang Chen, John M Cavanaugh, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, 818 W Hancock, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
Aim:
To assess the presence of nerves in ventral facet joint capsules as facet capsules are generally implicated in neck pain.
Methods:
Twenty-four ventral cervical facet joint capsules were harvested from 3 unembalmed cadavers. Paraffin sections from these capsules were processed to identify neurofilament and substance P immunoreactive fibers. Nerve fiber presence was also verified by a silver impregnation method.
Results:
Neurofilament reactive fibers were observed in sections from 9 capsules. They were observed in areas with collagen fibers and areas with irregular connective tissue. Substance P reactive nerve fibers were found in sections from 7 capsules in similar areas. Silver impregnation also revealed the presence of nerve fibers. The nerve fibers were also found as bundles in the lateral margins of the capsule. A Pacinian corpuscle-like ending was also observed in one specimen.
Conclusion:
Nerve fibers revealed by neurofilament immunoreactivity and silver staining support innervation of the ventral aspect of the facet joint capsule. The presence of substance P reactive fibers supports the potential role of these elements in mediating pain. The presence of a Pacinian-like ending implicates a potential role in joint movement.
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