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SummaryThe ultrastructure of normal and irradiated satellite cells of the rat superior cervical ganglia was studied. Each neuron is closely and completely invested by satellite cell cytoplasm. The satellite cell cytoplasm usually contains a number of mitochondria, granular endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome-like bodies, filaments, microtubules, lipid droplets, centriole and cilia. The satellite cell also encloses presynaptic nerve endings, and other nerwe fibers. X-ray irradiation produces several changes in the satellite cells. These include: (a) increased nuclear density, (b) marked local widening of the perinuclear space, (c) dilation of granular endoplasmic reticulum and loss of attached ribosomes, (d) swelling of mitochondria with disorganization of mitochondrial cristae and loss of matrix, (e) increase in the number of vacuoles, and (f) increase in the number, size and contents of lysosome-like bodies.

The ultrastructure of satellite cells of the rat superior cervical ganglion was studied following preganglionic sympathectomy.Several distinct morphological alterations were observed: (a) enlargement of the intercellular space between the ganglion cells and the satellite cells, (b) dilation of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and loss of attached ribosomes, and (c) swelling of the mitochondria with disorganization of the cristae mitochondriales. The presence of degenerating nerve fibers and synaptic boutons was also noted.

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