Contribution of the cervical sympathetic ganglia to the innervation of the pharyngeal arch arteries and the heart in the chick embryo

In the chick heart, sympathetic innervation is derived from the sympathetic neural crest (trunk neural crest arising from somite level 10–20). Since the trunk neural crest gives rise to sympathetic ganglia of their corresponding level, it suggests that the sympathetic neural crest develops into cervical ganglia 4–14. We therefore tested the hypothesis that, in addition to the first thoracic ganglia, the cervical ganglia might contribute to cardiac innervation as well. Putative sympathetic nerve connections between the cervical ganglia and the heart were demonstrated using the differentiation markers tyrosine hydroxylase and HNK‐1. In addition, heterospecific transplantation (quail to chick) of the cardiac and trunk neural crest was used to study the relation between the sympathetic neural crest and the cervical ganglia. Quail cells were visualized using the quail nuclear antibody QCPN. The results by immunohistochemical study show that the superior and the middle cervical ganglia and possibly the carotid paraganglia contribute to the carotid nerve. This nerve subsequently joins the nodose ganglion of the vagal nerve via which it contributes to nerve fibers in cardiac vagal branches entering the arterial and venous pole of the heart. In addition, the carotid nerve contributes to nerve fibers connected to putative baro‐ and chemoreceptors in and near the wall of pharyngeal arch arteries suggesting a role of the superior and middle cervical ganglia and the paraganglia of the carotid plexus in sensory afferent innervation. The lower cervical ganglia 13 and 14 contribute predominantly to nerve branches entering the venous pole via the anterior cardinal veins. We did not observe a thoracic contribution. Heterospecific transplantation shows that the cervical ganglia 4–14 as well as the carotid paraganglia are derived from the sympathetic neural crest. The cardiac neural crest does not contribute to the neurons of the cervical ganglia. We conclude that the cervical ganglia contribute to cardiac innervation which explains the contribution of the sympathetic neural crest to the innervation of the chick heart. Anat Rec 255:407–419, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Sympathetic nerve pathways to the human heart,and their variations

Stimulated by the needs of surgery, common variations in the sympathetic pathways to the heart have acquired a practical significance. The cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic trunk was dissected on 24 sides in human fetuses at term, and the cardiac rami together with their communications studied and illustrated. To enable us to classify the cervical rami according to their sites of origin, the cervical sympathetic trunk was subdivided midway between ganglia into portions called ganglionic divisions; these divisions keeping the names applied to the ganglia in the Nomina Anatomica. Intermediate ganglia were found on the visceral outflow of the sympathetic trunk and are referred to as “distal intermediate ganglia” to distinguish them from the intermediate ganglia that have been described proximal to the sympathetic trunk. Thoracic cardiac rami were almost invariably present, the third and fourth thoracic ganglia most frequently providing substantial contributions. Some thoracic cardiac rami were traced as far as the left anterior descending coronary plexus. The question of bilateral symmetry was also examined. Whilst a variety of features are commonly present on both sides, the first dissection in a cervicothoracic sympathectomy is no reliable guide to the detailed anatomy of the second side. The sympathetic pathways to the heart are extremely variable in their topography, and the diversity of arrangements encountered accounts for the morphological contradictions in the literature. So numerous are the possible variations that the outcome of a sympathectomy is unpredictable. Where denervation is incomplete, collateral sprouting and regeneration of nerves could even lead to hyperstimulation via the sympathetic pathways.     

Contribution of the cervical sympathetic ganglia to the innervation of the pharyngeal arch arteries and the heart in the chick embryo.

In the chick heart, sympathetic innervation is derived from the sympathetic neural crest (trunk neural crest arising from somite level 10-20). Since the trunk neural crest gives rise to sympathetic ganglia of their corresponding level, it suggests that the sympathetic neural crest develops into cervical ganglia 4-14. We therefore tested the hypothesis that, in addition to the first thoracic ganglia, the cervical ganglia might contribute to cardiac innervation as well. Putative sympathetic nerve connections between the cervical ganglia and the heart were demonstrated using the differentiation markers tyrosine hydroxylase and HNK-1. In addition, heterospecific transplantation (quail to chick) of the cardiac and trunk neural crest was used to study the relation between the sympathetic neural crest and the cervical ganglia. Quail cells were visualized using the quail nuclear antibody QCPN. The results by immunohistochemical study show that the superior and the middle cervical ganglia and possibly the carotid paraganglia contribute to the carotid nerve. This nerve subsequently joins the nodose ganglion of the vagal nerve via which it contributes to nerve fibers in cardiac vagal branches entering the arterial and venous pole of the heart. In addition, the carotid nerve contributes to nerve fibers connected to putative baro- and chemoreceptors in and near the wall of pharyngeal arch arteries suggesting a role of the superior and middle cervical ganglia and the paraganglia of the carotid plexus in sensory afferent innervation. The lower cervical ganglia 13 and 14 contribute predominantly to nerve branches entering the venous pole via the anterior cardinal veins. We did not observe a thoracic contribution. Heterospecific transplantation shows that the cervical ganglia 4-14 as well as the carotid paraganglia are derived from the sympathetic neural crest. The cardiac neural crest does not contribute to the neurons of the cervical ganglia. We conclude that the cervical ganglia contribute to cardiac innervation which explains the contribution of the sympathetic neural crest to the innervation of the chick heart.     

Functional anatomy of the major cardiac nerves in cats

In recognition of the extensive use of the cat as an experimental model of cardiac innervation, the effects of electrical stimulation of stellate ganglia, thoracic vagosympathetic complexes, and individual feline cardiopulmonary nerves on heart rate, blood pressure, and contractility in all four cardiac chambers were analysed and correlated with the anatomy of the thoracic autonomic nervous system. The right and left stellate ganglia in cats are relatively large and globular. Distinct dorsal and ventral ansae subclavia arise from these ganglia, connecting with the relatively small, spindle-shaped middle cervical ganglia situated in the apices of the thoracic cage bilaterally. A cranial pole nerve arises from each of the middle cervical ganglia and courses cranially to unite with the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglia. On each side, the major cardiopulmonary nerves arise from the middle cervical ganglion, the relatively large vagosympathetic trunk, and the stellate ganglion. On the right side these nerves consist of a very small right stellate cardiac nerve, a recurrent cardiac nerve, a group of craniovagal nerves and a group of caudovagal cardiopulmonary nerves. On the left side are the left stellate cardiac, ventrolateral, ventromedial, and innominate cardiopulmonary nerves. All of these nerves contain efferent parasympathetic and/or sympathetic fibers which modify cardiac chronotropism and/or inotropism. Some contain afferent fibers. These results indicate that specific cardiopulmonary nerves exist in cats, which when stimulated, modify the cardiovascular system in specific fashions.     

An anomalous case of the thoracic cardiac nerve in the Japanese monkey

A rare case of an anomalous right thoracic cardiac nerve that directly distributed to the left ventricle and left coronary artery was observed in a Japanese monkey. Its nerve arose from 4th and 5th thoracic ganglia on the right sympathetic trunk, descended obliquely along the thoracic vertebra toward the thoracic aorta at the level of the body of 7th thoracic vertebra. After reaching the aorta, it reflected upward and ascended along the medial-ventral surface of the aorta. Thereafter, it received a cardiac branch arising from the vagus nerve in the upper part of the thoracic aorta, and ran to the left-lateral aspect of the heart. Finally, it gave off main branches to the terminal part of the left coronary artery and the left ventricle, and small branches to the proximal part of the left coronary artery. In a human dissection, similar nerves (the thoracic splanchnic nerve or thoracic pulmonary nerve) originating at the thoracic ganglia and reaching to the lung, have also been observed. The superior, middle and inferior cervical cardiac nerves can easily reach the heart along the common carotid artery, the brachiocephalic artery and subclavian artery. But it is not easy for the thoracic cardiac nerve to reach the heart because of the topographical relationship of its thoracic origin and the peripheral distributions of the left side of the heart. Therefore, the thoracic cardiac nerve would have to run a complicated course.     

A review of the thoracic splanchnic nerves and celiac ganglia

Anatomical variation of the thoracic splanchnic nerves is as diverse as any structure in the body. Thoracic splanchnic nerves are derived from medial branches of the lower seven thoracic sympathetic ganglia, with the greater splanchnic nerve comprising the more cranial contributions, the lesser the middle branches, and the least splanchnic nerve usually T11 and/or T12. Much of the early anatomical research of the thoracic splanchnic nerves revolved around elucidating the nerve root level contributing to each of these nerves. The celiac plexus is a major interchange for autonomic fibers, receiving many of the thoracic splanchnic nerve fibers as they course toward the organs of the abdomen. The location of the celiac ganglia are usually described in relation to surrounding structures, and also show variation in size and general morphology. Clinically, the thoracic splanchnic nerves and celiac ganglia play a major role in pain management for upper abdominal disorders, particularly chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Splanchnicectomy has been a treatment option since Mallet‐Guy became a major proponent of the procedure in the 1940s. Splanchnic nerve dissection and thermocoagulation are two common derivatives of splanchnicectomy that are commonly used today. Celiac plexus block is also a treatment option to compliment splanchnicectomy in pain management. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)‐guided celiac injection and percutaneous methods of celiac plexus block have been heavily studied and are two important methods used today. For both splanchnicectomies and celiac plexus block, the innovation of ultrasonographic imaging technology has improved efficacy and accuracy of these procedures and continues to make pain management for these diseases more successful. Clin. Anat. 23:512–522, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The number and distribution of sympathetic neurons that innervate the rat pineal gland

The sympathetic innervation of the rat pineal gland was examined using a variety of anatomical techniques. Following the injection of horseradish peroxidase into the pineal gland, approximately 250 labeled neurons were found in the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion. No labeled neurons were found in the middle or inferior cervical ganglia. In animals whose left internal carotid nerve was lesioned prior to the injection of peroxidase, an average of only three labeled neurons was found in the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion. These data suggest that most, if not all, of the sympathetic neurons innervating the pineal gland exit from the superior cervical ganglia via the internal carotid nerves. The distribution of sympathetic neurons innervating the pineal gland was similar, though slightly more rostrally placed, than the distribution of the entire population of superior cervical ganglion neurons which project into the internal carotid nerve. Both the small number of neurons innervating the pineal gland and their wide distribution in the rostral part of the superior cervical ganglion indicate that their study at the level of the ganglion would be difficult.Sympathetic axons reach the pineal gland via the nervi conarii. Electron microscopic studies indicate that in each nervus conarii there are about 440 axons which make contact with the surface of the pineal gland. In certain cases, bundles of axons from the left and right nervi conarii were found to fuse. Additional evidence for the intermingling of axons from the two nervi conarii was seen in orthograde transport studies with horseradish peroxidase.     

Anatomy of thoracic splanchnic nerves for surgical resection

Thoracic splanchnic nerves conduct pain sensation from the abdominal organs around the celiac ganglion. Splanchnicectomy is the procedure used mainly for the control of intractable visceral pain. Forty-six human posterior thoracic walls were dissected. The formation pattern, course, and incidence of communication of the thoracic splanchnic nerves were investigated. The greater splanchnic nerves (GSNs) were formed by nerve branches from the T4-T11 thoracic sympathetic ganglia and the most common type was formed by T5-T9 (21.7%). The uppermost branches originated from T4-T9 while the lowermost branches emanated from the T7-T11. Two to seven ganglia contributed to the GSNs. In 54.3% of the specimens, at least one ganglion in the GSN-tributary ganglionic array did not branch to the GSN. The lesser splanchnic nerves (LSNs) were formed by the nerve branches of the T8-T12 thoracic sympathetic ganglia and the most common type was formed by T10 and T11 (32.6%). One to five ganglia were involved in the LSNs. The least splanchnic nerves (lSNs) were composed of branches from the T10-L1 thoracic sympathetic ganglia and the most common type was composed of nerve branches from T11 and T12 or from T12 only (each 30.4%). One to three ganglia were involved in the lSNs. In 54.3% of the specimens, interconnection between the GSNs and the LSNs existed, bringing the possible bypass around the transection of the GSNs. The splanchnic nerves that appear in textbooks occurred in a minority of our specimens. We provided expanded anatomical data for splanchnicectomy in this report.     

Comparative Anatomy and Evolution of the Cardiac Innervation in New World Monkeys (Platyrrhini,E. Geoffroy, 1812)

The morphology of the autonomic cardiac nervous system (ACNS) was examined in 24 sides of 12 New World monkeys (Platyrrhini) of all four families to document the morphology systematically and to study the evolutionary changes of the ACNS in this primate lineage. We report the following: (1) Although several trivial intra‐ and inter‐specific variations are present, a family‐dependent morphology of the ACNS does not exist in New World monkeys. (2) The sympathetic ganglia in New World monkeys consist of the superior cervical, the middle cervical, and the cervicothoracic which is composed of the inferior cervical and first and second thoracic, and the thoracic ganglia starting with the third thoracic. The general cardiac nervous system is the sympathetic middle and inferior cardiac nerves and all parasympathetic vagal cardiac branches. (3) The morphology of the ACNS in the New World monkeys is almost consistent regardless of the number of vertebrae, the cardiac position and deviation (axis), and the great arterial branching pattern of the aortic arch, and it is very similar to that in the Old World monkeys, with only one difference: the superior cervical ganglion in the New World monkeys tends to be relatively smaller, higher, and provides a narrower contribution to the spinal nerves than in the Old World monkeys. The ACNS morphology exhibits significant evolutionary changes within the primate lineage from New and Old World monkeys to humans. The comparative morphology within the lineage is concordant with the phylogeny, suggesting that the primate ACNS preserves its evolutionary history in close alignment with phylogeny. Anat Rec, 292:670–691, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

How many types of cholinergic sympathetic neuron are there in the rat stellate ganglion?

Sympathetic cholinergic postganglionic neurons are present in many sympathetic ganglia. Three classes of sympathetic cholinergic neuron have been reported in mammals; sudomotor neurons, vasodilator neurons and neurons innervating the periosteum. We have examined thoracic sympathetic ganglia in rats to determine if any other classes of cholinergic neurons exist. We could identify cholinergic sudomotor neurons and neurons innervating the rib periosteum, but confirmed that cholinergic sympathetic vasodilator neurons are absent in this species. Sudomotor neurons contained vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and always lacked calbindin. Cholinergic neurons innervating the periosteum contained VIP and sometimes calbindin, but always lacked CGRP. Cholinergic neurons innervating the periosteum were usually surrounded by terminals immunoreactive for CGRP. We conclude that if any undiscovered populations of cholinergic neurons exist in the rat thoracic sympathetic chain, then they are indistinguishable in size, neurochemistry and inputs from sudomotor or cholinergic neurons innervating the periosteum. It may be that the latter two populations account for all cholinergic neurons in the rat thoracic sympathetic chain ganglia.     

Efferent innervation of the cervical segment of the trachea in early postnatal ontogenesis

A method based on retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase was used to study the efferent innervation of the cervical segment of the trachea in neonatal kittens and kittens aged 10, 20, and 30 days and two months. Labeled neurons in all animals were located in the cranial cervical, middle cervical, and cervicothoracic sympathetic ganglia on the right and left sides, at the level of the medulla oblongata, and in the dorsal and ambiguus nuclei of the vagus nerves. Up to age 30 days, neurons were also seen in the ventral horns of the spinal cord in segments C1 to C5. The number of sympathetic neurons innervating the trachea increased from the moment of birth, reaching a maximum by 10-20 days and then decreasing to age two months. The number of parasympathetic neurons gradually decreased during ontogenesis.     

Anatomical variations of the upper thoracic sympathetic chain

The aim is to clearly delineate the upper thoracic sympathetic chains and neural connections between the chains and ventral rami of the thoracic nerves, and to provide an anatomical foundation for successful upper thoracic sympathicotomy for treating upper essential hyperhidrosis. The upper thoracic sympathetic chains, upper five intercostal nerves, and neural connections between them in 50 halves of 25 adult cadavers have been dissected, measured, and mapped. The stellate ganglion had an incidence of 80%. The second to the fourth thoracic sympathetic ganglia were commonly located in the corresponding intercostal spaces with the presence of 92%, 68%, and 50%, respectively. The incidence of the first and second intercostal rami was 40% and 6%, and that of the ascending or descending rami from the second, third and fourth ganglia was 54%, 24%, and 14%, respectively. Additional rami communicantes joined the ventral ramus of the 1st thoracic nerve proximal to the point where the latter gave a branch to the brachial plexus. The farthest horizontal distance from the sympathetic chain to the junction between the additional rami communicantes and the second to the fourth intercostal nerves was 29.1 mm. Only 16% of cadavers had similar anatomy bilaterally. Anatomical variations of the upper thoracic sympathetic trunk in relation to intercostal nerves, which may be one of the causes resulting in surgical failures and recurrences, were striking. Attention should be given to such anatomical variations when planning thoracic sympathicotomy. Clin. Anat. 22:595–600, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Locations and innervation of cell bodies of sympathetic neurons projecting to the gastrointestinal tract in the rat

The locations of cell bodies of sympathetic neurons projecting to the stomach, the duodenum, the ileum, the colon, the spleen and the pancreas have been studied using retrograde tracing. Projections arose from both pre- and paravertebral ganglia. In the rat, the prevertebral ganglia are the paired coeliac ganglia lying caudo-lateral to the root of the coeliac artery, paired splanchnic ganglia in the abdominal segments of the greater splanchnic nerves, unpaired superior mesenteric and inter-renal ganglia and the inferior mesenteric ganglia. The projections from the prevertebral sympathetic ganglia to the different parts of the gut were organised somatotopically. The most rostral ganglia (splanchnic, coeliac, and superior mesenteric ganglia) contained neurons innervating all regions of the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas and the spleen. The inter-renal and inferior mesenteric ganglia, located more caudally, contained neurons innervating the distal part of the gut (distal ileum and colon). The innervation of the spleen and the pancreas came from the closest ganglia (sympathetic chains, splanchnic and coeliac ganglia). This organotopic organisation was not found in the sympathetic chain ganglia; the innervation of all organs came predominantly from the lower part of the thoracic chains. A large proportion of the retrogradely labelled nerve cells in the splanchnic ganglia received nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive innervation probably from the spinal cord. In the other prevertebral ganglia, most of the neurons received nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive innervation and/or bombesin immunoreactive innervation. This leads to the conclusion that, in these ganglia, many neurons receive projections from the gastrointestinal tract in addition to the spinal cord.     

Induction of emetic response to staphylococcal enterotoxins in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus)

The emetic responses induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), SEB, SEC2, SED, SEE, SEG, SEH, and SEI in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus) were investigated. SEA, SEE, and SEI showed higher emetic activity in the house musk shrew than the other SEs. SEB, SEC2, SED, SEG, and SEH also induced emetic responses in this animal model but relatively high doses were required. The house musk shrew appears to be a valuable model for studying the mechanisms of emetic reactions caused by SEs.     

Efferent innervation of the small intestine by adrenergic neurons from the cervical sympathetic and stellate ganglia,studied by retrograde transport of peroxidase

The nervous pathways between the small intestine of cat and guinea pig and various sympathetic ganglia were investigated by the retrograde horse-radish peroxidase (HRP) technique. HRP was injected at multiple sites in the wall of the duodenum and the first third of the jejunum. At 1–5 days after (he injections. the HRP reaction product was searched for in various sympathetic ganglia. Not only the coeliac and nodose ganglia, but also the superior cervical, medial cervical, stellate and thoracic ganglia contained HRP-positive nerve cells. Crushing the cervical vagal nerve prevented the occurrence of HRP-reaction in the cervical ganglia, indicating that the HRP was transported from the gut to the cervical ganglia bia axons in the vagal nerve. The results demonstrate that the sympathetic ganglia in the neck (sup. and med. cerv. ganglia and stellate ggl.) send efferent fibres to the small intestine.     

Topological changes of the human autonomic cardiac nervous system in individuals with a retroesophageal right subclavian artery: two case reports and a brief review

The topological changes of the human autonomic cardiac nervous system in two cadavers with a retroesophageal right subclavian artery (Rersa) were compared with the normal autonomic cardiac nervous system. The following new results were obtained in addition to the conventional deficient finding of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve. (1) Right superior cardiac nerves arising from the superior cervical ganglion were consistently observed in both cadavers, in addition to the right thoracic cardiac nerves along the Rersa. (2) A segmental accompanying tendency of the right cardiac nerves was recognized: the cardiac nerves arising from the sympathetic trunk cranial to the middle cervical ganglia ran along with the right common carotid artery, whereas the cardiac nerves arising from the sympathetic trunk caudal to the vertebral ganglion ran along the Rersa. (3) The right thoracic cardiac nerves, which have never been observed to accompany the normal right subclavian artery, ran along the proximal part of the Rersa. According to previous reports of individuals with the Rersa, a thick right thoracic cardiac nerve is commonly observed instead of a right superior cardiac nerve. However, all the cardiac nerves were recognized in both the individuals described in the present report. Therefore, we strongly disagree with the previous idea that the origin of the right cardiac nerves from the sympathetic trunk and ganglia is shifted caudally in individuals with the Rersa. The topological changes of the autonomic cardiac nervous system in two cases of Rersa also reflected spatial changes of great arteries.     

Electrophysiological and morphological diversity of mouse sympathetic neurons

We have used multiple-labeling immunohistochemistry, intracellular dye-filling, and intracellular microelectrode recordings to characterize the morphological and electrical properties of sympathetic neurons in the superior cervical, thoracic, and celiac ganglia of mice. Neurochemical and morphological characteristics of neurons varied between ganglia. Thoracic sympathetic ganglia contained three main populations of neurons based on differential patterns of expression of immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). In the celiac ganglion, nearly all neurons contained immunoreactivity to both tyrosine hydroxylase and NPY. Both the overall size of the dendritic tree and the number of primary dendrites were greater in neurons from the thoracic and celiac ganglia compared with those from the superior cervical ganglion. The electrophysiological properties of sympathetic neurons depended more on their ganglion of origin rather than their probable targets. All neurons in the superior cervical ganglion had phasic firing properties and large afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs). In addition, 34% of these neurons displayed an afterdepolarization preceding the AHP. Superior cervical ganglion neurons had prominent I(M), I(A), and I(H) currents and a linear current-voltage relationship between -60 and -110 mV. Neurons from the thoracic ganglia had significantly smaller action potentials, AHPs, and apparent cell capacitance compared with superior cervical ganglion neurons, and only 18% showed an afterdepolarization. All neurons in superior cervical ganglia and most neurons in celiac ganglia received at least one strong preganglionic input. Nearly one-half the neurons in the celiac ganglion had tonic firing properties, and another 15% had firing properties intermediate between those of tonic and phasic neurons. Most celiac neurons showed significant inward rectification below -90 mV. They also expressed I(A), but with slower inactivation kinetics than that of superior cervical or thoracic neurons. Both phasic and tonic celiac ganglion neurons received synaptic inputs via the celiac nerves in addition to strong inputs via the splanchnic nerves. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the properties of the action potential, the AHP, and the apparent cell capacitance together were sufficient to correctly classify 80% of neurons according to their ganglion of origin. These results indicate that there is considerable heterogeneity in the morphological, neurochemical, and electrical properties of sympathetic neurons in mice. Although the morphological and neurochemical characteristics of the neurons are likely to be related to their peripheral projections, the expression of particular electrophysiological traits seems to be more closely related to the ganglia within which the neurons occur.     

Distribution of histamine in the developing peripheral nervous system

The presence and ontogenetic distribution of histamine was studied in the developing peripheral nervous system of the rat by using an indirect immunofluorescence technique and a specific rabbit anti-histamine antiserum. Histamine immunoreactivity (IR) first appeared in peripheral nerves on embryonic day 14. The number and intensity of histamine-immunoreactive nerves was highest on embryonic days 16–18. During development starting from embryonic day 14, motoneurones in ventral horns of the spinal cord at cervical, thoracic and lumbar levels contained histamine IR. A subpopulation of sensory neurones in dorsal root ganglia exhibited histamine IR. Histamine IR was also present in nerve fibres of ventral and dorsal roots of spinal cord, as well as in spinal nerves. Population of neurones and nerve fibres in sympathetic and pelvic ganglia as well as in myenteric ganglia of the intestine were also labelled with the histamine antiserum. In peripheral target organs, histamine IR was observed in nerve fibres around bronchi of the lungs, in the atria of the heart, in the adrenal gland, in the intestinal wall, in muscular tissues and in subepithelial tissue of the skin.The results of this study indicate that histamine is widely distributed in different types of neurones and nerve fibres of the developing peripheral nervous system.