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Anatomy and embryology1990; 182(3); 273-283; doi: 10.1007/BF00185520

Multifocal innervation and muscle length. A morphological study on the role of myo-myonal junctions, fiber branching and multiple innervation in muscles of different size and shape.

Abstract: The dependence of the inner organisation and innervation of a skeletal muscle on its size was studied at the level of single muscle fiber architecture and motor endplate topography in muscles of different size, all of them lacking a tendinous scaffolding. The muscles evaluated in this study were: Mm. sternomastoideus, gracilis and latissimus dorsi of the rat and the M. sternocephalicus of the horse. In these muscles a subdivision into two or more 'innervation-compartments' becomes obvious in fascicles reaching a certain length. This provides the possibility of an almost synchronous activation of the entire muscle by its nerve. At the level of single muscle fiber elements, large numbers of myo-myonal junctions were discernible in many sites. However, unequivocal multiple innervation was found, with several end-plates per single muscle fiber, without the interposition of any junctional structure. Myo-myonal junctions, combined with a characteristic branching pattern of many muscle fibers, and scattered innervation sites, obviously play an important role in the architecture of fan-like muscles lacking a tendinous scaffolding.
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Publication Date: 1990-01-01 PubMed ID: 2268070DOI: 10.1007/BF00185520Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research provides insights into the relationship between the size of a muscle and its internal organization and innervation. It reveals that in muscles of certain sizes and those without tendinous scaffolding, there is a subdivision into two or more innervation compartments that allow almost simultaneous activation by the nerve, and evidence of multiple innervation instances with several end plates per muscle fiber.

Study Context and Objectives

  • This research aims to determine the influence of a muscle’s size on its internal organization and innervation patterns. They assessed this at the level of individual muscle fiber architecture and motor end plate topography.
  • The muscles studied were all void of a tendinous scaffolding. They included the Mm. sternomastoideus, gracilis, and latissimus dorsi of the rat and the M. sternocephalicus of the horse.

Findings and Results

  • The study found a clear subdivision into two or more ‘innervation compartments’ in fascicles of specific length. This architecture facilitates an almost synchronous activation of the entire muscle by its nerve.
  • At the level of individual muscle fibers, a high number of myo-myonal junctions were observed. These junctions, along with the unique branching pattern of many muscle fibers, play a significant role in the construction of fan-like muscles lacking a tendinous scaffolding.
  • The study discovered definite multiple innervation occurrences, with multiple end plates per single muscle fiber, without the interposition of any junctional structure.

Ideal Interpretations and Conclusions

  • The research suggests that the size and shape of muscles impact their internal organization and innervation patterns. Certain characteristics, such as lack of tendinous scaffolding, lead to specific innervation compartments and patterns.
  • The research highlights the strong presence of myo-myonal junctions, branching muscle fibers, and multiple end-plates per fiber in certain muscles, emphasizing the role of these features in muscle architecture.

Cite This Article

APA
Zenker W, Snobl D, Boetschi R. (1990). Multifocal innervation and muscle length. A morphological study on the role of myo-myonal junctions, fiber branching and multiple innervation in muscles of different size and shape. Anat Embryol (Berl), 182(3), 273-283. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185520

Publication

Anatomy and embryology
ISSN: 0340-2061
NlmUniqueID: 7505194
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 182
Issue: 3
Pages: 273-283

Researcher Affiliations

Zenker, W
  • Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
Snobl, D
    Boetschi, R

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Muscles / anatomy & histology
      • Muscles / innervation
      • Myofibrils / physiology
      • Rats

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 10 times.
      1. Cahalan SD, Perkins JD, Boehm I, Jones RA, Gillingwater TH, Piercy RJ. A method to identify, dissect and stain equine neuromuscular junctions for morphological analysis. J Anat 2022 Nov;241(5):1133-1147.
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      2. May CA, Bramke S. In the human, true myocutaneous junctions of skeletal muscle fibers are limited to the face. J Anat 2021 Aug;239(2):445-450.
        doi: 10.1111/joa.13419pubmed: 33641167google scholar: lookup
      3. Rudolf R, Khan MM, Witzemann V. Motor Endplate-Anatomical, Functional, and Molecular Concepts in the Historical Perspective. Cells 2019 Apr 27;8(5).
        doi: 10.3390/cells8050387pubmed: 31035624google scholar: lookup
      4. Wei W, Jeffcoat B, Mustain W, Zhu H, Eby T, Zhou W. Frequency tuning of the cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) recorded from multiple sites along the sternocleidomastoid muscle in normal human subjects. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2013 Feb;14(1):37-47.
        doi: 10.1007/s10162-012-0360-1pubmed: 23183876google scholar: lookup
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