Skip to main content
Log in

A new type of synapse in the ventral cochlear nucleus

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In this paper we report the appearance of flat vesicle-containing endings in aldehyde-fixed ventral cochlear nucleus of rats with qualitative and quantitative properties suggesting they should be identified as calyceal processes. Their synaptic vesicles are elongate and significantly smaller than the vesicles in the calyces of Lenn and Reese (1966). Therefore these endings are flat vesicular calyceal processes, possibly of inhibitory function.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Gray, E.G.: Electron microscopy of excitatory and inhibitory synapses: a brief review. Progr. Brain Res. 31, 141–155 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E.G.: The fine structural characterization of different types of synapse. Progr. Brain Res. 34, 149–160 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E.G.: Synaptic fine structure and nuclear, cytoplasmic and extracellular networks. The stereoframework concept. J. Neurocytol. 4, 315–339 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Halász, N.: Aldehyde-osmium fixation of the rat olfactory bulb: correlation between synaptic patterns and nature of the transmission. Acta Anat. 87, 508–533 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Halász, N., Csillik, B.: Experimental electron microscopic studies on excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the cerebellar cortex of the rat. Exp. Brain Res. 9, 73–82 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Held, H.: Die centrale Gehörleitung. Arch. Anat. Physiol. 201–248 (1893)

  • Ibata, Y., Pappas, G.D.: The fine structure of synapses in relation to the large spherical neurons in the anterior ventral cochlear of the cat. J. Neurocytol. 5, 395–406 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemali, M.: The electron microscopy of the synaptic vesicles of the frog habenular nuclei. Brain Res. 112, 156–161 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Korneliussen, H.: Elongated profiles of synaptic vesicles in motor endplates. Morphological effects of fixative variations. J. Neurocytol. 1, 279–296 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Larramendi, L.M.H., Fickenscher, L., Lemkey-Johnston, N.: Synaptic vesicles of inhibitory and excitatory terminals in the cerebellum. Science 156, 967–969 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenn, N.J., Reese, T.S.: The fine structure of nerve endings in the nucleus of the trapezoid body and the ventral cochlear nucleus. Amer. J. Anat. 118, 375–389 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, D.M., Rasmussen, G.L.: Ultrastructural characteristics of synaptic endings in the cochlear nucleus having acetylcholinesterase activity. Brain Res. 28, 1–18 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima, Y.: Fine structure of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body of the bat with special reference to two types of synaptic endings. J. Cell Biol. 50, 121–134 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Paula-Barbosa, M.: The duration of aldehyde fixation as a “flattening factor” of synaptic vesicles. Cell Tissue Res. 164, 63–72 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, A.M., Gulley, R.L.: Non-primary afferents to the principal cells of the rostral anteroventral cochlear nucleus of the guinea pig. Amer. J. Anat. 153, 489–508 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tisdale, A.D., Nakajima, Y.: Fine structure of synaptic vesicles in two types of nerve terminals in crayfish stretch receptor organs: influence of fixation methods. J. Comp. Neurol. 165, 369–386 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchizono, K.: Characteristics of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the central nervous system of the cat. Nature 207, 642–643 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Valdivia, O.: Methods of fixation and the morphology of synaptic vesicles. J. Comp. Neurol. 142, 257–274 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Dedicated in grateful appreciation to Professor Dr. Ewald Wüstenfeld

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Köpf-Maier, P. A new type of synapse in the ventral cochlear nucleus. Cell Tissue Res. 198, 373–380 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00232018

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00232018

Key words

Navigation