Ultrastructure of the feline area postrema

Abstract

The morphology of the feline area postrema (AP), a circumventricular organ, has been studied by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In SEM preparations the boundary of the AP was sharply delineated by the absence of kinocilia. Microvilli were numerous and seemed to be concentrated at the junction between ependymal cells, imparting a polygonal surface pattern superimposed on cell boundaries. Some cell processes were present on the AP surface, but no supra‐ependymal cell bodies could be seen over the AP proper. In TEM preparations the AP was characterized by blood vessels with distinct perivascular spaces. These spaces contained fibroblasts and collagen, and were limited by basal laminae. Capillary endothelial cells were typically fenestrated and contained numerous pinocytotic vesicles. Bulbous endings of attenuated cellular processes terminated on the external basal laminae of AP vasculature. Some of these endings could be traced to the cells covering the ventricular surface of the AP. These cells demonstrated several features common to ependymal cells which have been identified as tanycytes. The presence of small neurons frequently seen in groups of three or four confirm previous light microscopic studies. Synapses predominantly of the axodendritic variety were observed, and both dense cored and clear cored vesicles were present on the same ending. Myelinated and unmyelinated axons were a consistent finding in the AP with the former being more abundant in the lateral margins of the AP and in the region of the area subpostrema. The chemoreceptive function of the AP has been widely accepted; however, studies indicate that it is not possible to distinguish species possessing an emetic reflex on the basis of ultrastructural morphology. The possibility that the AP serves functions in addition to emetic chemoreception is considered.