Node distribution and packing density in the rat CNS-PNS transitional zone

The density of nodes of Ranvier was examined at CNS, PNS, and transitional zone (TZ) levels of rat lumbar ventral motoneurone fibres. It was found to be significantly greater in the TZ than at the other levels: The difference was sevenfold for the ventral root and at least fourfold for central fibre levels. Node distribution and spacing was examined within the two main types of TZ found in rat ventral rootlets: the first, in which the TZ is short and is approximately on a level with the surface of the cord; and the second, in which it is much longer and extends into the proximal part of the rootlet. Node spacing was estimated as nearest neighbour distance, the true distance between adjacent node centres. This is a better estimate of node spacing than simple density since it measures the actual linear distance between nodes over which any interaction between them would be likely to take place. Despite marked differences in the dimensions of the two types of TZ, nearest neighbour distance distribution was very similar in each, suggesting that similar mechanisms may influence their spacing during development. The TZ contains especially large amounts of interstitial tissue, mainly composed of astrocyte processes, separating the fibres traversing it. The proportion of the TZ composed of interstitium was over three times that in the ventral root and nearly twice that at the CNS level studied. The large amounts of astrocytic tissue in the TZ may be related to the high packing density of nodes. It may function to regulate extracellular ionic concentrations in the TZ and to maintain a stable ionic environment for the transitional nodes.