Anat Cell Biol.  2015 Jun;48(2):124-129. 10.5115/acb.2015.48.2.124.

Development of myenteric plexus in human foetuses: a quantitative study

• Singh S
• Shariff A
• Roy T
• Das T
• Rani N

• KMID: 1845280
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2015.48.2.124

Abstract

Maturation of neurons of the myenteric plexus (MP) of human fetal sigmoid colon was studied at various weeks of gestation (WG). There is abundant literature on the development of MP in various segments of the gut but there are fewer reports on the development of MP in human sigmoid colon which is a site of various disorders. Sigmoid colonic segments from 12 aborted foetuses aged 14-23WG were processed for NADPH histochemistry. Stereologic evaluation of the neuronal cell profiles, numerical density, number of neurons per ganglion and myenteric fraction was conducted using using imageJ software. According to gestational age, foetuses were assigned into two groups (group 1 [n=7], less than <17WG and group 2 [n=5], more than >17WG). The overall size of neuronal cell profiles in the MP was significantly increased (P<0.05). The numerical density of neurons decreased in group 2 in comparison to group 1, the number of neurons per ganglion and myenteric fraction were increased in group 2 but all these were not statistically significant. This study revealed that the maturational event increases after 17WG and extensive innervations is established at 23WG. During prenatal life there is an increase in the neuronal cell size from 14-23WG signifying maturational process. Such studies are essential for clinicians and surgeons to correlate the normal and pathologic development of the enteric nervous system.

Keyword

Enteric nervous system; Myenteric plexus; Development

MeSH Terms

Cell Size
Colon, Sigmoid
Enteric Nervous System
Ganglion Cysts
Gestational Age
Humans
Myenteric Plexus*
NADP
Neurons
Pregnancy
NADP

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Microphotograph of cross-section of human foetal sigmoid colon in NADPH-diaphorase stain at 14 weeks of gestation (WG) and 16WG. (A) Myenteric plexus (MP) at 14WG having neurons (N) with round to oval nucleus (n) and scanty cytoplasm. Neuronal processes (NP) can be clearly demarcated. Scattered neurons and thin nerve fibres present in submucosa (SM). (B) There is progressive increase in the sizes of myenteric ganglia (MG) and N at 16WG. Nerve fibres increase in inner circular muscle (CM). There is also gradually increase in neuropil. Submucosal plexus (SP) present in the SM towards the CM. LM, outer longitudinal muscle. Scale bar=50 µm (A, B). Reproduced from J Morphol Sci 2013;30:156-66 [18], with permission of Brazilian Society of Anatomy and Pan-American Association of Anatomy.

• 

  Fig. 2 Microphotograph of NADPH-diaphorase stained sigmoid colon at 23 weeks of gestation (WG). (A) At this age, Myenteric ganglia (MG) have increased in size and large number of nerve fibres developed in circular muscle (CM). Submucosal plexus (SP) present in the submucosa (SM) towards the CM. Internodal strand (Is) is seen between two MG. (B) Higher magnification shows large neurons (N) with rounded to oval nuclei (asterix) and extensive neuropil (np) in MG. Thickened neuronal processes (NP) were clearly visible. NF, nerve fibres. Scale bars=200 µm (A), 20 µm (B). Reproduced from J Morphol Sci 2013;30:156-66 [18], with permission of Brazilian Society of Anatomy and Pan-American Association of Anatomy.

• 

  Fig. 3 All the parameters (area, perimeter and ferret diameter) which were taken to assess the overall size of the neuronal cell in the myenteric plexus were significantly increased (P=0.02). WG, weeks of gestation; group 1, <17WG; group 2, >17WG. *Statistically significant.

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