Ultrastructural Findings on Human Scarpa's Ganglion

Abstract

The morphology of human Scarpa's ganglion from two surgically removed specimens as well as from four autopsy preparations from patients without clinical evidence of vestibular dysfunction was investigated. Ganglion cell circumference varied between 45 and 160 μm. More than half of the nerve cells ranged between 90 and HO urn. The arrangement of ganglion cells, nerve fibres and endoneural connective tissue appeared better preserved in autopsy preparations than in biopsy specimens. Electron microscopy revealed that in half of the investigated specimens, neuroglial tissue was present as far distal as the vestibular ganglion. Almost all ganglion cells were surrounded by one or several layers of satellite cells, and did not reveal myelination. From the present study we cannot predict if neuronal function in human beings differs from that in other animals, although morphological differences do exist.

Key Words:

• normal human Scarpa's ganglion
• unmyelinated ganglion cells
• autopsy preparation
• biopsy specimens
• transmission electron microscopy