Impulse conduction in the myelinated giant fibers of the earthworm. Structure and function of the dorsal nodes in the median giant fiber.

The dorsal openings in the myelin sheath of the median giant fiber (MGF) of the earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.) have been studied with electronmicroscopical and electrophysiological methods. The fine structure of the dorsal nodes (DN) resembles in many aspects the Ranvier nodes in vertebrate and crustacean nerve fibers. The nodal membrane directly faces the extracellular collagenous capsule of the ventral cord and displays a conspicuous electrondense undercoat. The myelin sheath of the paranode shows a characteristic differentiation into large desmosomal contracts. Recordings of the transmembrane and longitudinal surface currents along the dorsal side of the MGF during spike propagation support the view that an active inward current is restricted there to the DN. The inward current density in the DN reaches outstandingly high values similar to those measured in vertebrate nodes of Ranvier. The nodal activity can be blocked by application of tetrodotoxin and local anaesthetics. Local electrical stimulation of only one DN may suffice to elicit propagated actions potentials up and down the MGF. It is concluded that the dorsal nodes of the median giant fiber of the earthworm are highly specialized excitable structures mediating saltatory impulse conduction in these fibers.