Studies on intra-arterial cushions. IV. Perivascular nerve plexuses of ramifying arteries with intraluminal cushions at the branching points

Abstract

Periarterial nerve plexuses were studied at branching points of arteries with intraluminal cushions. Serial sections were prepared from mouse kidney, pancreas and tongue, and studied by means of catecholamine fluorescence and staining for acetylcholinesterase. The periarterial nerve plexuses did not show any peculiarities at the branching points. The intraluminal cushions, as well as the tunica media of both the parent trunk and the collateral branches, were found to be free of vegetative nerves. It is concluded that the shape of intraarterial cushions is passively altered, following the alterations of vascular geometry, and not in response to direct nervous stimulation.