Electron microscope study of the grandry and herbst corpuscles in the palatine mucosa, gingival mucosa and beak skin of the duck.

Abstract

Summary. Grandry and Herbst corpuscles of the palatine mucosa, gingival mucosa and beak skin were studied with the electron microscope.Typical Grandry corpuscles are surrounded by thick bundles of collagen fibers and composed of a terminal axon sandwiched between Grandry cells. Occasionally, two or three nerve endings are found within one corpuscle. The Grandry cell contains numerous electrondense granules similar to those of a Merkel cell. The cell extends protrusions at the poles and the opposing faces. Desmosome-like attachments are noted between interdigitated protrusions, and between the axon and Grandry cell.Herbst corpuscles are composed of an outer capsule, inner core and central nerve ending. The outher capsule consists of 15 to 20 concentric lamellae, while the inner core possesses 60 to 70 sheets of cytoplasmic extensions. Under the scanning electron microscope, the corpuscles appeared as an elongated oval form surrounded by dense fibrous connective tissue, and each lamella of the outer capsule was composed of a dense network of thick and thin fibrils. These were seen under the transmission electron microscope as thick fibrils about 50 nm in diameter and peripheral thin fibrils about 10 nm in diameter. In some portions, a periodic increase of cytoplasmic density about 20 nm in width located in neighboring sheets was noted.The terminal axons of both corpuscles contain numerous neurofilaments, slender mitochondria, neurotubules, smooth endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles. Both corpuscles are limited by several flat cells which are arranged in parallel and probably correspond to the peripeural cells of the peripheral nerve. Tight junctions were observed between these cells.The fine structure of the Pacinian corpuscle has been studied by PEASE and QUILLIAN

Calcium‐binding Proteins in Avian Herbst and Grandry sensory corpuscles

“…On the contrary, Grandry corpuscles are special sensory corpuscles exclusive to aquatic birds (see Andres and von During, 1973;Saxod, 1978;Malinovsky, 1986;Toyoshima, 1993). Our results on the morphology of Herbst and Grandry corpuscles, as well as the species-specific differences observed in Herbst corpuscles, basically agree with previous studies in aquatic and nonaquatic birds (Halata, 1971a,b;Andres and von During, 1973;Saxod, 1978;Malinovsky and Pac, 1980;Iggo and Andres, 1982;Watanabe et al, 1985;Malinovsky, 1986;Toyoshima et al, 1992;Halata and Grim, 1993). On the other hand, although it is well known that the morphology of sensory corpuscles may substantially influence its physiology (Iggo, 1976;Gottschaldt, 19851, both Herbst and Grandry corpuscles are rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors (Gottschaldt, 1985;Gottschaldt et al, 1982;Malinovsky, 1986).…”

“…Herbst corpuscles are encapsulated sensory corpuscles present in all avian species and are considered the equivalent to mammalian Pacinian corpuscles (see Andres and von During, 1973;Saxod, 1978;Gottschaldt, 1985;Watanabe et al, 1985;Malinovsky, 1986;Halata and Grim, 1993). On the contrary, Grandry corpuscles are special sensory corpuscles exclusive to aquatic birds (see Andres and von During, 1973;Saxod, 1978;Malinovsky, 1986;Toyoshima, 1993).…”

An examination of the sensory structures in the oral cavity of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

“…These are described as the avian homologue of the Pacinian corpuscle and are common on the bill and tongue of some birds (Iggo and Andres, ; Gentle and Breward, ; Crole and Soley, ). Although some studies suggest there are some ultrastructural and locational differences (Watanabe et al, ) between Herbst and Pacinian corpuscles they are functionally similar. Merkel cell neurite complexes are present basally in the PSDSP (Figs, C, A,B). These were the sole mechanoreceptive structure observed in the oral cavity of the hatchling alligator.…”

Morphological characteristics of the papillae and lingual epithelium of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

“…After this stage, all samples were postfixed in an 1% osmium tetroxide water solution and dehydrated in an increasing series of alcohols (70% to absolute). After dehydration, samples were dried in a critical point dryer (Balzers CPD 020) with liquid CO 2 (Bolina et al., ; Watanabe, Usukura, & Yamada, ), mounted on metal stubs and metalized with gold (Emitech K550). All samples were examined and photodocumented by Scanning Electron Microscopy LEO 435 VP at the Surgery Department of FMVZ‐USP.…”