NERVE ENDINGS IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE 127 



and sustentacular cells intragemmal fibres and to the interven- 

 ing portions of the stratified epithelium intergemmal fibres 

 where they terminate in end fibrils. Von Lenhossek * states that 

 the intragemmal and intergemmal fibres are never derived from 

 the same nerve fibre. Circumgemmal fibres, distributed as vari- 

 cose fibrils to the surface of the taste bud, may, however, arise 

 from the same nerve fibre as the intragemmal branches. 



Those nerve fibres which enter the taste buds form fine vari- 

 cose fibrils which are closely applied to, but are not continuous 

 with, the gustatory and the sustentacular cells. The terminal 

 twigs of these fibrils end by minute end knobs which are scarcely 

 distinguishable from the varicosities (Fig. 118). 



NERVE ENDINGS IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE 



The nerve fibres form extensive plexuses in the connective 

 tissues from which terminal branches are distributed to the epi- 

 thelium, the walls of the blood and lymphatic vessels, and to the 

 numerous sensory end organs which occur in great abundance 

 in most of the connective tissues. Nerves also terminate in con- 

 nective tissue by free end fibrils some of 

 which, as in the epithelial tissues, possess 

 minute end knobs. Free nerve endings of 

 this nature occur in the tendons, the lungs, 

 the stomachial and intestinal mucous mem- 

 branes, the meninges, and in the superficial 

 layer of the corium of the skin and the hair 

 follicles (terminaisons hederiformes of Ean- 

 vier). 



The following types of nerve end organs 

 are found in connective tissue : 



I. TACTILE CORPUSCLES (touch cor- 

 puscles of Meissner). These organs are 

 formed by the terminal expansion of a nerve 

 fibre, which forms a varicose plexus inclosed 

 within a delicate connective tissue sheath. 

 The nerve fibre, or its primary branches, 

 prior to its ultimate division makes several 

 spiral turns about the corpuscle. The course 



FIG. 122. TACTILE COR- 

 PUSCLE OF MEISSNER 

 FROM THE SKIN OF 

 THE HUMAN TOE. 



Bl, blood vessel; N, 

 medullated nerve fibre. 

 Highly magnified. (After 

 Schiefferdecker.) 



* Anat, Anz., 1892. 



