Anatomical basics of the nervous tissue and possible gateways and ways of infection for prions in BSE

This paper describes the basic functional and topographical anatomy of the nervous system which is important for understanding the neuroinvasive behaviour of prions. Particular emphasis is laid on localisation and size of the bovine autonomous ganglia, because these represent a possible site of prion replication. Current concepts of prion invasion via the enteral system are outlined and the differences between cattle and sheep regarding spreading of the infectious agent are specified.