A SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF SUPRAEPENDYMAL CELLS OF THE THIRD VENTRICLE OF THE RABBIT AND RAT / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The distribution and morphology of supraependymal cells residing within thethird ventricle of the adult rabbit and adult rat have been investigated by means ofscanning electron microscopy.Supraependymal cells can be classified into twofundamental types,those with neuronal characteristics were designated Type Ⅰ incontrast to those that appear to be macrophagic in character,which were termedType Ⅱ.The neuron-like supraependymal cells have oval cell bodies and long slen-der processes.They occurred not only singly along the ventricular surface,but alsotended to occur in clusters which may be named as neuronal complex.Usually theneuronlike structures possessed varicose fibers of various calibers,runing among thecilia,microvilli,and bulbous protrusions of the ependymal surface.The morphologyof macrophage-like ependymal cells are variable.In general,they had one or severalbroad pseudopodia.According to the number of processes,the macrophage-likesupraependymal cells may be divided into three main types.The morphology of supraependymal cells within the third ventricle of the rabbitand rat is quite similar.The role of supraependymal cells were discussed.