Ultrastructure of the glomerular corpuscular nerve endings in the subepithelium of human epiglottis.

The nerve endings in the subepithelial tissue of the surgically removed human epiglottis were observed by electron microscopy. The nerve varicosities (3-6 microns in diameter) with an accumulation of mitochondria and interconnecting nerve fibers supported by Schwann cells constituted the glomerular corpuscles (50-70 microns in diameter). The processes of the nerve varicosities, containing small clear and large dense cored synaptic-like vesicles, were in contact with basal cells of the stratified squamous epithelium. The glomerular corpuscular nerve endings are presumed to be concerned with low threshold mechanoreceptive functions, such as tactile sensation.