[Innervation of grouped lymphoid nodules (Peyer's patches) by the enteric nervous system and the topography of their interior neural elements in the rat].

Using the complex of histological methods (staining with toluidine blue, silver nitrate impregnation and application of retrograde fluorescent dye primulin) the data on the neural elements spatial localization within Peyer patches of the small intestine and their connections with the rest of enteric metasympathetic nervous system in rat was obtained. Submucosal plexus that is significantly developed within this lymphoid organ and is divided into internal and external plexuses was found to be most essential to the innervation of rat Peyers patches. These plexuses innervate all Peyers patch areas:nodules, cupula and internodular zones and the nodule-associated epithelium. Moreover, it was shown that within Peyers patch the plexuses form an integral part with the rest of the enteric nervous system and possess close connections with ganglia that are distant from the patch and are related both to submucosal and myenteric nervous plexuses. Direct inputs into Peyers patch nervous plexuses from extramural ganglia are present as well. These data was considered as a morphological basis for functional interaction of nervous and immune systems within the enteric immune organ and for possible enteric nervous system regulation of immune functions.