The three-dimensional architecture of the autonomic nerve terminals in the rat exocrine pancreas was investigated by scanning electron microscopy using the HCl-digestion method as well as by transmission electron microscopy.
Unmyelinated nerves presumed to be autonomic in nature were found in networks covering the outer layers of arterioles and their capillary extensions, with nerve fibers often leaving the capillaries to surround acini in the interacinar spaces. Schwann cells formed scaffolds for axons of the networks. No other distinct type of cells such as the so-called interstitial cells of Cajal were found to be associated with the formation of the networks. Although nerve fibers of the networks were locally in close association with the walls of the blood vessels or with the bases of acinar cells, no specialized axonal contacts with these tissues were found. However, local swellings, presumably varicosities, were observed by scanning electron microscopy on the surface of nerves. These findings suggest that the networks of unmyelinated nerves represent terminal apparatuses of the autonomic nerves in the pancreas.
Schwann cells in the terminal networks were characterized by an unusual abundance of cell organelles. These “terminal Schwann cells” well correspond in location and reticular extension to the “interstitial cells of Cajal” as demonstrated by silver impregnation and vital methylene blue staining. The occurrence of well developed Golgi apparatuses, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and numerous ribosomes suggests that the cells are specialized Schwann cells which most likely require high levels of cellular activity in order to maintain their elaborate cytoplasmic processes extending along the terminal networks, and also to sustain the specific functions of axon terminals.