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Retinal projections in a snake, Thamnophis sirtalis
Author(s) -
Halpern Mimi,
Frumin Natalie
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051410309
Subject(s) - lateral geniculate nucleus , biology , nissl body , anatomy , nucleus , thamnophis sirtalis , optic nerve , retinal , retina , cresyl violet , neuroscience , zoology , staining , biochemistry , genetics
The retinofugal projections of the snake Thamnophis sirtalis were studied by the method of experimentally induced Wallerian degeneration stained by the Fink‐Heimer method. The retinal ganglion cells project to all parts of the contralateral lateral geniculate complex, nucleus lentiformis mesencephali, nucleus geniculatus pretectalis, nucleus posterodorsalis, basal optic nucleus and superficial layers of the optic tectum. In addition, the retinofugal projections were observed terminating in portions of the ipsilateral lateral geniculate complex and nucleus posterodorsalis. Examination of the morphology of the retinal terminal areas stained for Nissl substance with cresyl violet led to the conclusion that these regions are well differentiated and should not be considered poorly developed when compared with other reptilian forms such as turtles.