Some aspects of the peripheral nervous system in the human fetus as revealed by the acetylcholinesterase in toto staining method.

By means of the AChE in toto staining method (Baljet and Drukker 1975) the peripheral nervous system in several human fetuses has been investigated. Especially concerning the peripheral autonomic nervous system some striking results were found. In the human fetus there exists a large variability in number and diameter of the communicating rami. Many ganglia in the sympathetic trunks are fused. The major splanchnic nerve arises at various levels from the thoracic sympathetic trunks as well as many smaller thoracic sympathetic nerves. Furthermore various visceral nerves and nerve related elements are presented in this study.