Fine structure of baroreceptor terminals in the carotid sinus of guinea pigs and mice

Abstract

A light and electron microscopic study was undertaken on the baroreceptor axon terminals in the carotid sinus of guinea pigs and mice, using serial semithin and thin sections. Together with their enveloping Schwann cells, numerous lanceolate axon terminals are organized into a well-defined discoid end organ, referred to as the 'baroreceptor unit'. Baroreceptor units measure 100 to 150 mum in diameter and are arranged in a hexagonal pattern. These end organs represent free branched lanceolate mechanoreceptors of complex type (Andres and von Düring, 1973) which belong to the main group of stretch receptors. In the guinea pig the lanceolate terminals enter the media and approach the innermost layers near the intima. In the mouse the terminals are seen to spread in the adventitia and along the medio-adventitial border. Only a few of them penetrate the external elastic layer. Species differences concerning the localization and extent of these visceral mechanoreceptors are discussed, as well as the modified architecture of the sinus wall in the receptor area ('elastic segment'). Lanceolate terminals form beaded varicosities which are equipped with finger-like or lamellar exoplasmic protrusions. These projections contain a well-differentiated receptor matrix. They are attached to collagen and elastic fibers. The varicosities include densely packed mitochondria, neurotubules, profiles of axoplasmic reticulum, clear and granular vesicles, and striking accumulations of glycogen particles, lamellated bodies and lysosomes. Four types of varicosities are discerned according to their main axoplasmic components. Various types of these varicosities occur within an individual lanceolate terminal.