Summary
The organization of the cerebral ganglion of the shore crab Carcinus maenas, is investigated by conventional histological and electronmicroscopic techniques. This study forms part of a comprehensive survey of the blood-brain interface, particularly interesting in this group, as decapod Crustacea are unusual among invertebrates in possessing an intracerebral blood supply. Apart from the intracerebral blood vessels, tissue organization is closely similar to that observed in insect central neural ganglia. The ganglion is surrounded by the neural lamella, an acellular connective tissue sheath, probably containing mucopolysaccharide and collagen. A layer of specialised glia, the perineurium, immediately underlies the neural lamella, and appears to contribute to its formation. Large glia occupying a conspicuous cortical zone below the perineurium may be involved in glycogen metabolism and storage. Further morphologically distinct glial types are observed associated with neurones and blood vessels, but all neuroglia within the ganglion are probably of common origin. Neurone cell bodies are generally situated peripherally in groups, and send axons into neuropil (synaptic) areas in the ganglion core. Large lacunae in the cortical region and narrower 20 nm clefts deeper in the ganglion, constitute the interstitial space, and contain deposits of fibrillar material. Possible physiological implications are discussed.
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I wish to thank Dr. J. E. Treherne for much encouragement and advice, Dr. A. M. Mullinger and Dr. B. L. Gupta for help and discussion concerning the electron microscopy, and Professor E. G. Gray for reading the manuscript. This work was supported by an SRC Research Studentship.
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Abbott, N.J. The organization of the cerebral ganglion in the shore crab, Carcinus maenas . Z. Zellforsch. 120, 386–400 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00324899
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00324899