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Structural organization of enteric nervous system in human colon
L Ibba-Manneschi1, M Martini, S Zecchi-Orlandini
1Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy.
Histology and Histopathology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
The human colon
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Anatomy
Background:
- The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) controls gut function.
- Understanding its human colonic organization is crucial for clinical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural organization of the human colonic ENS.
- To identify unique features compared to other mammals.
Main Methods:
- Examined human colon wall fragments using routine processing and Zinc-Iodide Osmium impregnation.
- Prepared single-layer specimens for detailed microdissection.
Main Results:
- The human submucous plexus features three interconnected ganglionated networks across different planes.
- The myenteric plexus ganglia are large and irregularly shaped.
- Distinct cleavage planes were observed between colonic layers.
Conclusions:
- Human colonic ENS organization differs from other mammals.
- The submucous plexus's multi-planar arrangement is a key distinction.
- These findings provide a detailed anatomical map of the human colonic ENS.