Quantitative data on the fine structural organization of the palisade zone of the median eminence

Summary In order to characterize different sub-zones in the palisade zone of the rat median eminence, quantitative ultrastructural parameters were applied to brains fixed in aldehyde-osmium tetroxide. The palisade zone has been subdivided in 4 successive sub-zones. Increasing numbers of granular vesicles (GV), especially those smaller than 110 nm, are observed from dorsal to ventral sub-zones. There also are more GV per unit area of nervous tissue in the perivascular than in the more dorsal sub-zones. The individual nerve profiles exhibit a larger size in the perivascular layer than in the more dorsal areas, whereas the number and size of nerve profiles devoid of vesicles diminish from dorsal to ventral. As a consequence more GV occur in the perivascular nerve profiles. In the GV containing nerve profiles the concentration of GV is, however, constant in the different sub-zones. A fluctuating size of the preterminal and terminal parts of the nerve fibres is suggested.We are indebted to Mrs. R. M. Y. Hartsteen for technical assistance. The constructive criticism of Prof. J. Moll is acknowledged, as well as the photographic assistance of Miss P. C. Delfos.