Premium
A trigeminal midbrain‐cerebellar fiber connection in the rat
Author(s) -
Cupédo R. N. J.
Publication year - 1965
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.901240106
Subject(s) - midbrain , anatomy , cerebellum , biology , trochlear nerve , trigeminal nerve , medullary cavity , decussation , medulla oblongata , neuroscience , central nervous system , pathology , medicine , alternative medicine , palsy
Cerebellar collaterals of the mesencephalic trigeminal root have been studied by the use of various histologic techniques in adult and fetal brains of rat and mouse. In addition, brains of rats with lesions in the mesencephalic trigeminal system were studied. Cells of the mesencephalic trigeminal system can be found in the brachium conjunctivum near the cerebellar hilus in the adult and fetal rat and in the fetal and full‐term mouse. Such cells located in the anterior medullary velum were found in fetal rat material and m the human brain stem. In the rat collaterals of the mesencephalic trigeminal root course through the brachium conjunctivum and anterior medullary velum, terminating in the nodulus cerebelli and possibly also in the neighborhood of the primary fissure. These fibers coursing through the anterior medullary velum decussate and intermingle with fibers of the ventral spino‐cerebellar tract and fibers of the trochlear nerve. They course ventrally from the tectocerebellar tract, which consists of smaller myelinized fibers. Termination in the cerebellum is by means of mossy fibers. The findings are discussed as they relate to previous studies. It is probable, that the cerebellum utilizes proprioceptive impulses conducted by mesencephalic fifth fibers in its coordinating influence on the activity of the muscles of mastication.