Experimental degeneration of intra-epithelia nerve fibres in cat airways.

This paper describes a quantitative and ultrastructural study of the degeneration of the intra-epithelial nerves in the epithelium of the lower respiratory tract of the cat following unilateral cervical infra-nodose vagotomy and section of the superior laryngeal nerve. A significant reduction in the number of intra-epithelial axons was found on the denervated side, degeneration being more complete at the hilus than in the trachea. Cellular inclusions resembling degenerating axons were observed especially on the denervated side, and their ultrastructural morphology is described. The functions of nerves which degenerated, and of those which remained unaffected, are discussed.