The distribution of histochemically demonstrable succinic dehydrogenase and of mitochondria in tongue and skeletal muscles.

Various skeletal muscles show considerable variations in histochemically demonstrable succinic dehydrogenase activity. In muscles from the lower extremities, the back, and the abdominal wall, only some fibers reveal evidence of enzymatic staining. In the diaphragm and masseter more fibers react positively. In the tongue, however, all fibers show marked activity comparable to that found regularly in the heart. There is a close similarity in the distribution of histochemically demonstrable succinic dehydrogenase and stainable mitochondria in tissue sections.