Fig 3. Stromal nerve fusion with the basal epithelium.

A stromal nerve fused with two basal epithelial cells (black arrowheads) through two distinct pores in the basal lamina (Electron density; white arrowheads) (A). Enlargement of panel (A) inset showing magnified view of one basal lamina pore (B). Note the continuity between neuronal and epithelial plasma membranes at the site of fusion (arrows). Electron dense Schwann cell nuclei (N) were visible near the fusion site. The axoplasm (*) was electron translucent, lacked mitochondria and mixing between axoplasm and epithelial cell cytoplasm (E) was not evident. Scale bars = 2 μm.