Reinnervation of denervated Meissner corpuscles: a sequential histologic study in the monkey following fasicular nerve repair

Abstract

The mechanism by which an axon regenerating into a fingertip becomes a functioning sensory end organ was investigated with light and electron microscopic evaluation of Meissner corpuscle (MC) morphology following nerve division and fascicular repair in the monkey. Sequential histologic analysis of the fingertip biopsies demonstrated degeneration of the MC followed by reinnervation of the MC by the regenerating axons. There was subsequent reversal of the degeneration process. Electron microscopy confirmed the reinnervation of the degenrated MC. There was no evidence of MC regeneration de novo.