Unmyelinated axon ratios in cat motor, cutaneous and articular nerves.

The goal of this electron microscopic study is to determine ratios of unmyelinated to myelinated axons and afferent unmyelinated to postganglionic autonomic (sympathetic) efferent axons in representative cat motor, cutaneous and articular nerves. Of the total axons in the tibial, medial gastrocnemius, sural and medial and posterior articular nerves, 70% or more are unmyelinated. The afferent unmyelinated axon components range from 49% and 45% in the medial and posterior articular nerves, respectively, to 58% in the medial gastrocnemius nerve and 61% in the sural nerve.