An electron microscopic study on the interstitial cells of the gizzard in the love-bird (Uroloncha domestica)

Summary A type of cells morphologically resembling fibroblasts or Schwann cells and identical with the interstitial cells as firstly described byCajal was studied electronmicroscopically.Examinations of serial sections reveal that cell membranes of these cells make close appositions (nexus) to those of all surrounding smooth muscle cells. The surfaces of these cells are also provided with nerve endings of certain axons derived from plexus myentericus.On the basis of these findings, the possible nature and function of interstitial cells are discussed.This work was supported in part by NIH Grant NB-06052.