Abstract
Rat dorsal spinal nerve roots were cut and the tip on the ganglionic side of the cut was examined by scanning electron microscopy at 0, 7, 20 and 48 h after operation. Seven hours after cutting, free axonal sprouts had started to protrude from the cut end of the nerve. After 20 h the free sprouts were more profuse than at 7 h but were smaller and had a rougher surface. At both 7 and 20 h many of the sprouts consisted of a stalk 2-7 mum in diameter with a bulbous end 5-20 mum in diameter. A few branching sprouts were seen. At 48 h the sprouts were shrunken with a deeply furrowed surface. The significance of the surface structure of the sprouts is discussed.
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