The Morphology and Ultrastructure of Baboon Muscle Spindles, Including Fusimotor Innervation

Greer, Anne (1986) The Morphology and Ultrastructure of Baboon Muscle Spindles, Including Fusimotor Innervation. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The work of this study was concerned with looking at baboon muscle spindles both morphologically and ultrastructurally to see if these were not in fact a closer working model for the human than cat spindles, as there is evidence both histological (Cooper and Daniel 1963, Swash and Fox 1972) and electrophysiological (Hagbarth 1981, Vallbo 1981) that there are differences between human and cat muscle spindles. Seven baboon lumbrical muscles were examined with the light microscope and the general morphology of muscle spindles determined. Twenty-seven of these were studied in more detail, particular emphasis being paid to the elastic fibre distribution within the spindles. Three spindles were also studied ultrastructurally, two of these having been used in earlier electrophysiological experiments. The results show that in terms of intrafusal fibre content and size, baboon muscle spindles are similar to those found in humans and cats. The elastic fibre distribution however, which is a useful means of identifying the static bag2 fibre in the cat, is not a reliable method in baboon spindles and in this respect is more like that found in human spindles. The M-line distribution in baboon spindles is similar to that found in other mammals and is a useful means of identifying the static bag2 fibre. The motor endings in baboon spindles are similar to those found in the cat but there may be a species variation in the nuclear chain fibre endings.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: Physiology, Morphology
• Date of Award: 1986
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1986-77355
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2020 09:11
• Last Modified: 14 Jan 2020 09:11
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/77355