Perisynaptic satellite cells in the developing and mature rat soleus muscle.

In mature rat soleus muscle it is shown that satellite cells are not evenly distributed over the surface of myofibers but are more numerous in the vicinity of the motor endplate. In this location they commonly lie close to the post synaptic membrane where they are termed perisynaptic satellite cells. In developing muscle several satellite cells may be seen close to the endplate and give the impression of limiting the spread of the axon over the myofiber. In addition these satellite cells make close plasmalemmal contact with Schwann cells and appear as a continuation of the Schwann sheath onto the surface of the myofiber.