Histochemical studies on the autonomic innervation of the femoral artery and vein

Anat Embryol (Berl). 1979 Oct;157(2):231-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00305163.

Abstract

The innervation of the femoral artery and vein in the dog was studied using: a) glyoxylic acid fluorescence (for the histochemical localization of adrenergic nerve fibers); b) acetylcholinesterase (for the histochemical localization of cholinergic nerve fibers). -Andrenergic nerve fibers and related terminals in both vessels are confined to the adventitial-medial transitional zone and the outer layers of the media. Acetylcholinesterase containing nerve fibers are localized in the adventitial-medial transitional zone of the femoral artery. These findings may indicate the presence of a cholinergic vasodilatator system in the control of the circulation in the femoral artery.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / analysis
  • Animals
  • Autonomic Nervous System / enzymology*
  • Dogs
  • Femoral Artery / innervation*
  • Femoral Vein / innervation*
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Vasomotor System / cytology

Substances

  • Acetylcholinesterase