Neurohistological examination of the inferior glenohumeral ligament of the shoulder

Abstract

The neural histology of the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL) was studied in 11 fresh shoulder specimen using a special silver impregnation technique. Between the collagen fibers small myelinated and unmyelinated dendrites could be detected. The appearance of neurovascular structures in the adjacent synovial layer clearly exceeded the typical supply to soft tissues. Analysing about 11,000 sections Ruffini mechanoreceptors that are known to be slow adapting were found on the humeral insertion of the band. The sections containing these neural end organs were identified by means of transillumination and reflection-contrast microscopy and reconstructed using three-dimensional image processing. The presence of neural structures including Ruffini corpuscles in these most important passive stabilizers of the shoulder joint shows that these ligaments function also as an active safety device. There slow adaption is a prerequisite for muscular reflexes counteracting the tensile stresses to which the passive stabilizing structures of the shoulder are exposed. A disruption of the continuity of these structures by mechanical forces or surgery can reduce the biofeedback and proprioceptive quality and thus lead to a decrease of shoulder function andlor stability. These observations should be taken into account when planning surgical interventions involving the IGHL. Procedures like capsule shifts or plications may affect mechanoreceptor orientation and concentrations, thereby affecting the interaction between these structures and the synergistic muscles. When possible, these intervention should avoid receptor-dense regions while attempting to restore normal anatomical orientation and tissue tension.

Shoulder function: The perfect compromise between mobility and stability

“…Vangsness et al (1995) report Pacini and Ruffini receptors in the middle, anterior and superior glenohumeral ligaments, as well as free nerve endings in the lower half of the labrum. Steinbeck et al (2003) report Ruffini receptors in the humeral insertion of the inferior ligament. Gohlke et al (1998) did not find receptors in the glenohumeral ligaments, but did find receptors in the periarticular loose connective tissue.…”

Optimization of 3-D hepatocyte culture by controlling the physical and chemical properties of the extra-cellular matrices

“…Three physical parameters were retrieved from each optical slice and interpolated to 200 slices for each microcapsule (Matlab 6.0): area of dendrites (in pixels), dendritic length (total length of dendrites connected to a node in pixels), dendrite number (number of dendrites connected to a node) [22][23][24]. A dendrite was defined as a one pixel thick open branch, while a node as the point of origin of dendrites.…”

Proprioception assessment in subjects with idiopathic loss of shoulder range of motion: Joint position sense and a novel proprioceptive feedback index

“…9 In the shoulder, this hypothesis is supported by studies examining JPS, which have reported that subjects reproduce position accurately and consistently near the end of motion. [10][11][12][13] To our knowledge, however, this effect has not been studied in patients with shoulder stiffness. Previous investigations assessed JPS in one specific plane; we measured JPS and proprioceptive feedback in an unconstrained shoulder model.…”