ABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance microscopy has been initially defined as magnetic resonance imaging with spatial resolutions on the order of one hundred microns. Recent technological advances made possible the visualization of mammalian neurons, such investigations are, however very time consuming, preventing dynamic investigations. Systems containing large neurons are definitely advantageous for high-resolution MRM studies. The buccal ganglia are the smallest of the five ganglia and they contain many large neurons ranging in diameters from 100 to 200 micrometres. Located towards the head end of the animal the buccal ganglia innervates the muscles of the buccal mass controlling protraction and retraction of the radula (a tongue-like organ) and the motility of the esophagus, the pharynx and the salivary glands. The abdominal ganglion, also known as the visceral ganglion, is located near the anterior aorta. Unlike the other ganglia, the abdominal ganglion is asymmetric. Thus, since 1986 MR microscopy has advanced to voxel resolutions of just a few microns in all three spatial dimensions.
