Scanning electron microscopy of brain ventricular surfaces: a bibliography.

This bibliography is designed to facilitate the rapid identification and location of references concerning the application of scanning electron microscopy to investigations of the cerebroventricular system and related cerebrospinal fluid contacting surfaces. Because SEM provides information regarding cell surfaces, it is admirably suited to the examination of the brain ventricular system since the morphology of the CSF interface is of the utmost importance in accomplishing the diverse functions of the ependyma and associated circumventricular organs. The bibliography attests to the fact that scanning electron microscopy has provided a major impetus to the study of the structure and function of the circumventricular organs, choroid plexuses and tanycytic ependyma as well as the distribution and morphology of such supraependymal cellular elements as macrophages, neurons, and neuronal proceses. Furthermore, not only are SEM methodologies being applied to an ever lengthening list of phyla and species, but the diversity of problems amenable to the profitable application of scanning electron microscopy also is rapidly increasing. Investigations to date, for example, include studies of ventricular morphology during development and maturity, health and disease, and prior to as well as following experimental manipulation. While remarkable strides have been made toward a greater understanding of many aspects of cerebroventricula structrure and function, many significant problems clearly await the judicious application of scanning electron microscopy.