Scanning electron microscopy of teased intrafusal muscle fibers from rat muscle spindles.

Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies on intrafusal muscle fibers and their various sensory and motor endings are not available thus far although SEM greatly increases the resolution power for analyzing surface structures in comparison to light microscopic preparations. From a total of 68 isolated muscle spindles in lumbrical muscles of Wistar rats, only one primary sensory ending could be isolated. Secondary sensory endings were of an annulospiral, a flat, cuff-shaped, or a more complicated branched type; they were always completely surrounding intrafusal muscle fibers. Motor terminals were more focally arranged not surrounding the muscle fibers. Three types could be distinguished. Collagen fibrils were seen to insert on capsular elements as well as on the surface of intrafusal muscle fibers. Thus SEM helps understanding the most complicated electromechanical system for motor control.