Author/Editor		Štiblar-Martinčič, Dragica
Title		Morphological characteristics of Merkel cells
Type		članek
Source		In: Gale N, Žargi M, editors. Epithelial tumours of the head and neck. Proceedings of the 31st memorial meeting for professor Janez Plečnik under the auspices of the European society of pathology; 2000 Dec 7-8; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Faculty of medicine, Institute of pathology,
Publication year		2000
Volume		str. 105-8
Language		eng
Abstract		The Merkel cells are epidermal cells that function in cutaneous sensation, but the presence of neuroendocrine immunoreactivity indicates a neurosecretory function. They are most abundant in the skin where sensory perception is acute. These modified epidermal cells are located in the stratum basale of the skin and cannot be recognised in routine histolog ie preparation. Electron microscopy and immunostaining are required for their identification. Merkel cells are bound to adjoining keratinocytes by desmosomes. The cytaplasm contains cytokeratin intermediate filaments and characteristic dense-core neurosecretory granules. They are closely associated with afferent nerve fibres. The nerve terminal expands into a disc or plate-like ending that lies in close apposition to the base of the Merkel cells in a form of synaptic junctions. Merkel cells occur either as scattered solitary cells or as aggregates called tactile corpuscule. The importance of Merkel cells is their participation in neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Descriptors		MERKEL CELLS MECHANORECEPTORS MICROSCOPY, ELECTRON IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY