Changes in the Nuclear Population of the Posterior Columns of the Spinal Cord of the Rabbit During Degeneration

Joseph, Jack (1952) Changes in the Nuclear Population of the Posterior Columns of the Spinal Cord of the Rabbit During Degeneration. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Abstract

1. Changes in the nuclear population in the posterior columns of the spinal cord of the rabbit have been studied after 10, 20, 50 and 100 days' degeneration. 2. It has been found that there is a progressive increase in the nuclei up to 100 days. After 10 days the increase is about 1.8 times the normal, after 20 days 3 times, after 50 days 3.4 times and after 100 days 4.5 times. 3. There are some signficant changes in the area of the posterior columns. It is suggested that these changes are not important in considering the results. There is no signficant change in the length of the nuclei after all periods of degeneration studied. 4. The astrocytes have been differentiated from the other cells (oligodendrocytes and microglial cells) by reason of the appearance of their nuclei in haematoxylin and eosin stained sections. The astrocytes were found to increase early on equally with the other cells. Between 10 and 20 days they increase to a less extent. Subsequently they catch up with and increase to a greater extent than the other ceils. 5. It is suggested that the increase in oligodendrocytes and microglial cells is for phagocytosis of the degenerating myelin sheaths and axons of the fibre tracts and the subsequent increase of the astrocytes is for the formation of a glial scar. 6. Comparison is made between the nuclear population changes in degenerating peripheral nerves and in the posterior columns of the spinal cord. Most of these differences are probably due to the difference in structure of the nerve fibres, the main one being the presence of a fairly rigid tube in the peripheral nerve due to the neurilemma and endoneurium. The consequent collapse of the tubes in the posterior columns is also responsible for preventing functional regeneration of fibre tracts in the spinal cord.

Item Type: Thesis (MD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Keywords: Morphology, Neurosciences
Date of Award: 1952
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1952-78900
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2020 14:43
Last Modified: 30 Jan 2020 14:43
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/78900

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