Reissner's fiber in the sacral cord and filum terminale of the possum Trichosurus vulpecula: A light, scanning, and electron microscopic study

The ending of Reissner's fiber (RF) and structural features associated with gaps or fissures in the rostral part of the filum were investigated using light, scanning, and transmission microscopic techniques in young and mature possums of both sexes. To the best of the author's knowledge the report contains results of the first successful application of the SEM for a study of RF in the spinal cord. Some new observations suggest that while the bulk of RF is formed by the subcommissural organ and moved caudally, additional secretory products may be added by ependymal cells in the sacral and possibly other regions of the spinal cord. Evidence is provided in support of the view that RF may pass through gaps in the ependymal lining in the rostral part of the dorsal wall of the filum terminale and caudal end of the sacral cord to reach the periependymal loose tissue and possibly the subarachnoid space. The region of the gap shows the surface of the ependyma facing the lumen of the filum to be covered with microvilli and cilia, and to be in direct continuity with the external surface of the ependyma covered with basement membrane with glial processes and collagen fibers in close proximity. The present results confirm and extend observations reported by Wislocki et al. ('56).