THE MERKEL CELL SYSTEM AND A COMPARISON BETWEEN IT AND THE NEUROSECRETORY OR APUD CELL SYSTEM

The Merkel cell, a neural crest migrant to the skin, possesses a characteristic intranuclear rodlet, cytoplasmic membrane-bound granules and horn projections and is usually associated with nerve terminations. It is also associated with all types of known organizations of sensory nerve endings in the skin and possesses characteristic enzyme reactions in relation to the ending. The Merkel cell is found in the skin and the oral mucous membranes, and similar cells are observed in the taste buds and pulmonary tissue. A comparison between the Merkel cell and the APUD cell system of polypeptide hormone and amine-producing cells reveals many structural and chemical similarities