Axon Morphology
Axon Morphology - Related Videos
07:51
Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin
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2025
This study presents an in vivo two-photon imaging approach for visualizing the structures of low-threshold mechanoreceptor (LTMR) axon terminals in the forepaw skin of mice. Using repeated, high-resolution imaging of individual axons, this method provides a new platform for studying the structure and function of the cutaneous sensory circuit during development and in adults.
09:42
Morphological Analysis of Drosophila Larval Peripheral Sensory Neuron Dendrites and Axons Using Genetic Mosaics
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Cited by 16 •
2011
The dendritic arborization sensory neurons of the Drosophila larval peripheral nervous system are useful models to elucidate both general and neuron class-specific mechanisms of neuron differentiation. We present a practical guide to generate and analyze dendritic arborization neuron genetic mosaics.
10:29
Morphological and Functional Evaluation of Axons and their Synapses during Axon Death in Drosophila melanogaster
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Cited by 15 •
2020
Here, we provide protocols to perform three simple injury-induced axon degeneration (axon death) assays in Drosophila melanogaster to evaluate the morphological and functional preservation of severed axons and their synapses.
08:29
The Olfactory System as a Model to Study Axonal Growth Patterns and Morphology In Vivo
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Cited by 12 •
2014
We describe a protocol for in vivo labeling of olfactory sensory neurons by electroporation and subsequent confocal laser-scanning or multiphoton microscopy to visualize neuronal morphology and its development over time.
13:58
Flat Mount Imaging of Mouse Skin and Its Application to the Analysis of Hair Follicle Patterning and Sensory Axon Morphology
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Cited by 26 •
2014
Mammalian skin contains a diverse array of structures - such as hair follicles and nerve endings - that exhibit distinctive patterns of spatial organization. Analyzing skin as a flat mount takes advantage of the 2-dimensional geometry of this tissue to produce full-thickness high-resolution images of skin structures.
FAQs
The cytoskeleton helps coordinate axon extension and branching by organizing the internal structure of the growing axon. Its activity works together with membrane dynamics, intracellular transport, and guidance signals, allowing the axon to lengthen, form branches, and develop appropriate terminal regions. These coordinated processes help establish the physical architecture required for neurons to connect with specific targets.
Axon diameter and its relationship with myelin provide structural information relevant to signal transmission efficiency. Examining these features helps researchers evaluate how an axon is organized for communication over distance, rather than considering length or branching alone. Differences in these measurements can therefore reveal how structural organization supports neural connectivity and changes under experimental or pathological conditions.
Branching patterns determine how an axon distributes its connections, while terminal architecture reflects the organization of regions where synaptic contacts can form. Together, these features help indicate how a neuron targets and communicates with particular circuits. Studying their arrangement can distinguish changes in connection-building from changes in axon length, providing a more complete view of neural wiring.
A morphology assessment should record axon length, diameter, branching pattern, terminal architecture, and the relationship with myelin. Considering these features together prevents interpretation from depending on a single measurement. The resulting profile can be used to compare neuronal structure across developmental states, injury conditions, neurodegenerative disease, or experimental manipulations that may alter connectivity.
Researchers evaluate axon morphology by examining structural features that can be compared across neurons or experimental conditions. Measurements may include length, diameter, branch organization, terminal structure, and myelin relationships. Comparing these features helps determine whether a manipulation affects extension, branching, terminal formation, or broader structural organization, making morphology analysis useful for tracking changes in neural connectivity.
Changes in axon morphology can provide structural evidence of altered neural organization after injury or during neurodegenerative disease. Shifts in extension, branching, terminal architecture, diameter, or myelin relationships may indicate disrupted connectivity or responses associated with recovery. Because these features can be measured after experimental manipulation, they also help assess whether structural organization changes alongside functional recovery.