CHROMATOLYSIS OF EFFERENT NEURONS

Abstract

Review of the literature relative to experimental peripheral injury to the nerves reveals many interesting results, interpretations and contentions, particularly concerning the effects produced on the body of the nerve cell. The subsequent changes in the neurocyte are exceedingly variable and present histologic pictures varying from one extreme to the other, namely, from that of no apparent change at all, to that of complete disintegration and disappearance of the cell. These alterations or lack of alterations are dependent on at least four factors: first, the type and the age of the animal used; second, the distance from the central nervous system at which the nerve is severed, ligated or otherwise injured; third, the interval that is permitted to elapse between the time of operation on the nerve and that of removal and fixation of the tissue of the central nervous system, and, fourth, the histologic and functional type of neuron.