[Histochemical and morphometric characteristics of some extraocular muscles of the dog]

Intracranial portion of the trochlear nerve and dorsal oblique muscle composition in dog: A structural and ultrastructural study

In the present investigation the right intracranial portion of the trochlear nerves and dorsal oblique muscle of the right ocular globe were removed from six adult dogs and analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Unmyelinated fibers were observed in the analyzed nerves. The number, diameter, area, and density of myelinated fibers were determined, as were corresponding axon area and diameter and myelin sheath thickness. Frequency histograms of myelin sheath thickness and fiber size show a bimodal distribution with a similar proportion of large and small fibers. Muscle samples were taken from the central portion of the muscle belly, subsequently frozen, cut, and stained with m-ATPase at pH 4.6. Fibers were classified as Type 1 or Type 2 according to their reaction to the m-ATPase and detailed morphologic and morphometric studies were made. The muscles showed two clearly distinct layers, a central layer and a peripheral layer, chiefly composed of Type 2 fibers. The fibers in the central layer were larger in size than those in the peripheral layer.