Ultrastructure of the basal body and the ciliary roots of the ependymal epithelium of the third ventricle in the cat

Abstract

A study was made of thee ultrastructure of the elements surrounding the basal bodies and their cross-striated ciliay roots in the ependymal epithelium of the third ventricle of domestic cats, perfused with glutaraldehyde and postfixed with 3% osmium tetroxide. The structures observed were compared with those described by other authors in several ciliated epithelia and in different animal species. A description is given of a complex anchoring system of the basal bodies of the cilia which are formed of (1) a peribasal complex consisting of (a) sail-shaped fibres, (b) transversal arched filaments, (c) longitudinal arched filaments and (d) a peribasal space, and (2) of striated ciliary roots consisting of (a) anchoring ciliary roots and (b) interconnecting of interbasal ciliay roots. The structure of the cross-striate is also described; they exhibit of a period of 640 A, with periodical bands and intraperiodical bands. The authors suggests an essential participation of the striated ciliary roots with their peribasal complex in the activation and coordination of the movements of the cilia.