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Intramucosal nerve cells in human small intestine
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
Journal of the Autonomic Nervous System
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Intramucosal nerve cells in the human small intestine were studied using histochemistry and morphometry. Findings reveal distinct cell sizes in the duodenum versus the ileum, suggesting varied functions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuroscience
- Histology
Background:
- The human small intestine harbors a complex enteric nervous system.
- Intramucosal nerve cells' presence and characteristics remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphology and distribution of intramucosal nerve cells in the human small intestine.
- To compare intramucosal nerve cell characteristics between the duodenum and ileum.
Main Methods:
- Histochemical staining for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diaphorase and acetylcholinesterase.
- Morphometric analysis of intramucosal neuron cell bodies.
- Comparison of cell size distributions between duodenal and ileal mucosa.
Main Results:
- Intramucosal neurons were identified, often near the muscularis mucosae, with varying cell body shapes.
- Most intramucosal nerve cells exhibited acetylcholinesterase activity.
- Significant differences in nerve cell profile area distributions were observed between the duodenum and ileum, with more large cells in the duodenum.
Conclusions:
- Intramucosal nerve cells are present in the human small intestine, analogous to those in the submucosal plexus.
- The distinct size profiles of intramucosal nerve cells in the duodenum and ileum suggest region-specific functions.