THE EFFECT OF SKELETAL FIXATION ON SKELETAL MUSCLE

Abstract
Skeletal fixation in rats produced atrophy and hypersensitivity to intra-arterially injected acetylcholine in the involved gastrocnemius-soleus group of muscles. The atrophy was initially as marked, but did not progress as far, as that seen in muscles paralyzed by the loss of their motor nerve supply. The atrophy produced was sustained for the duration of the expt. in all animals in which the fixation was maintained.