The fibrous structure of the nerve axon in relation to the localization of "neurotubules"

Abstract

In squid, frog, rat, and human nerves examined in thin sections with the electron microscope the axon contains, in addition to certain other particulates, characteristic filaments. These filaments have diameters ranging from about 100 to 200 A and have indefinite length. They frequently have a nodose appearance due to the presence of discontinuities sometimes fairly regularly spaced along the filaments. This structure differs unmistakably from that of the dense-edged fibrils called "neurotubules" and it is clear that the latter are not axonic constituents. Though dense-edged fibrils can readily be demonstrated in fragmented formalin-fixed nerve preparations, they are seldom observed in thin sections. When such structures were seen in these experiments they were located in the connective tissue sheath. The present evidence offers no support for the view that "neurotubules" are structural entities of normal intact nerves.