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Helweg's triangular fasciculus in anencephalic fetuses
Author(s) -
Mizuno Noboru,
Yoshida Masami,
Okamoto Michio
Publication year - 1968
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.901320109
Subject(s) - fasciculus , anatomy , biology , medial longitudinal fasciculus , brainstem , fetus , fiber tract , spinal cord , central nervous system , midbrain , neuroscience , white matter , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , pregnancy , fractional anisotropy , genetics , radiology
Helweg's triangular fasciculi were identified in two human anencephalic fetuses, and the structures of their central nervous systems were compared with those of other anencephalic fetuses without the fasciculi. Since the inferior olivary nuclei and the brain regions above the level of the mesencephalon were not developed, these portions could be ruled out as the site of origin of Helweg's fasciculi. The spinal cords and the ascending fibers of these anencephalic fetuses were better preserved than the brain stem and descending fibers. In cases with existing Helweg's fasciculi the spinal gray matter was better developed than in cases without the fasciculus. Taking all these facts in account, it seems reasonable to assume that in the described cases Helweg's fasciculi consist, at least chiefly, of ascending fibers, especially spinoreticular fibers.