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Architectonics of the cerebellar nuclei in the rabbit
Author(s) -
O′Leary James L.,
Smith Jeanne Marie,
Inukai Joseph,
Mejia Hugo H.
Publication year - 1972
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.901440403
Subject(s) - biology , axon , neuropil , neuroscience , soma , anatomy , cerebellum , dendrite (mathematics) , deep cerebellar nuclei , golgi apparatus , cerebellar cortex , white matter , microbiology and biotechnology , central nervous system , endoplasmic reticulum , medicine , geometry , mathematics , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging
A correlative study utilizing Golgi and Golgi Cox sections from 6–12 day rabbits cut serially, and EM material from rabbits two to three months old. Notwithstanding differences in myelinated axon content of neuropil which affect shape and dendrite disposition of individual neurones, there were no major disparities in cellular make‐up of the cerebellar nuclei. Large and medium‐sized cells have dendrites which interdigitate in several patterns depending upon the rosette arrangements to which they belong. At the nuclear‐white matter margin dense overlapping between dendritic terminals and edge‐ramified Purkinje axons occurs. Most medium and all large cells possess centrifugal axons showing recurrent collaterals. Small cells overlapping the medium‐sized ones at 20 μ, belong largely to the short axon class, confirming early studies by Saccozzi (1887) and Lugaro (1895). Their fine axons arborize diffusely within a 250 μ perimeter. Intranuclear arbors of Purkinje axons have funnel or poplar shapes and also contribute to the edge plexus. Besides forming nids about the somata these arbors issue significant extensions along dendrites. Our EM studies bear similarities to those of Eager (′68) for cerebellar nuclei of cat, and lateral vestibular nucleus of that animal by Mugnaini, Walberg, Hauglie‐Hanssen and Brodal (′67). Terminal and passage boutons arise from myelinated axons, reaching dendrites and somata either directly or through nonmyelinated intermediaries. Terminals reminiscent of mossy and climbing fibers can be identified. Axon hillocks of large and small cells show a few synapses each.