[Sensory endings in the intramural ganglia of the stomach. Light optical and electron microscopic study]

Puppies and young dogs at the age of 3 days up to 2 months were used in the investigation. In total stomach preparations neuronal structures were stained with methylene blue after A. S. Dogel. Routine electron microscopic studies were carried out. Within the structure of intramuscular vegetative plexus of the stomach a sensory plexus was demonstrated, its terminals forming receptive bushy structures in all the tissues. Especially numerous the sensory endings were in neuronal cords and ganglia. The sensory endings innervated all the elements in ganglia. Ultrastructure of receptor terminals situated in the intramural ganglia of the stomach corresponded to that of terminals in tissue mechanoreceptors described for skin, auriculum, carotid sinus and trachea. Peculiar multilayer lamillar structures formed by cytoplasmic axonal processes of lemmocytes around lance-shaped, arranged in rosary fashion receptor varicosities were described. Contact of receptor terminals with the neuronal cell body was demonstrated. Functional nature of the tissue receptors described was discussed.