An electron microscopic study on the innervation of the intracranial artery of the rat

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Abstract
Topographical variations in the innervation between different portions of rat intracranial artery have been studied by the aid of electron microscopy. Myelinated fibers are found only around the internal carotid and the proximal portion of the basilar arteries. Unmyelinated fibers are observed within the adventitia of the major intracranial arteries. These fibers diminish gradually in number as getting towards the periphery and completely vanish before the disappearance of the muscular coat of the artery. Most of small branch arteries have no vascular nerve around them, although they show one‐ or two‐layered arrangement of smooth muscle cells in the media. Some central branches of the internal carotid and the middle cerebral arteries are accompanied by unmyelinated fibers even after they penetrate into the brain tissue. The fine structures of the terminal portion of vascular nerve fibers, particularly the neuromuscular relationships, have also been described.

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