Summary
The lateral nucleus in the rat is investigated with several variants of the rapid Golgi method and in Nissl preparations. The neurons are divided into two classes according to their size and the disposition of their axons. The smaller neurons or interneurons have cross sectional areas less than 180 μm2, and short axons that ramify in the vicinity of the cell bodies. Small neurons have also been seen on rare occasions with longer axons that may leave the nucleus. The larger cells (areas greater than 180 μm2) have long axons that leave the nucleus and emit short, beaded, recurrent collaterals.
In the rostral and caudal poles of the lateral nucleus, the large projection neurons as well as the small neurons are multipolar with swirled dendritic arborizations. Neurons in the dorsal rim and ventral third of the nucleus have similar dispositions of their dendrites. In the central columnar zone, the projection neurons have dendrites that are arranged in columns directed diagonally across the body of the nucleus in the 4 to 10 o'clock direction in the right lateral nucleus and the 8 to 2 o'clock direction in the left nucleus. A collection of small neurons is generally found in the medial hilus zone. In each part of the lateral nucleus, the neurons are arranged in characteristic ways.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Angaut, P., Sotelo, C.: The fine structure of the cerebellar central nuclei in the cat. II. Synaptic organization. Exp. Brain Res. 16, 431–454 (1973)
Brodal, A., Courville, J.: Cerebellar corticonuclear projection in the cat. Crus II. An experimental study with silver methods. Brain Res. 50, 1–23 (1973)
Chan-Palay, V.: Cytology and organization in the nucleus lateralis of the cerebellum. The projections of neurons and their processes into afferent axon bundles. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 141, 151–159 (1973a)
Chan-Palay, V.: The cytology of neurons and their dendrites in the simple mammalian nucleus lateralis: An electron microscope study. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. (1973b), in press
Chan-Palay, V.: Afferent axons and their relations with the columns and swirls of neurons in the nucleus lateralis of the cerebellum: A light microscope study. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 142 (1973c), in press
Courville, J., Diakiw, N., Brodal, A.: Cerebellar corticonuclear projection in the cat. The paramedian lobule. An experimental study with silver methods. Brain Res. 50, 25–45 (1973)
Eager, R. P.: The mode of termination and temporal course of degeneration of cortical association pathways in the cerebellum of the cat. J. comp. Neurol. 124, 243–258 (1965)
Eager, R. P.: Patterns and mode of termination of cerebellar corticonuclear pathways in the monkey (Macaca mulatta). J. comp. Neurol. 126, 551–566 (1966)
Eager, R. P.: Some fine structural features of the neural elements composing the cerebellar nuclei in the eat. J. comp. Neurol. 132, 235–262 (1968)
Eccles, J. C.: The cerebellum as a computer: Patterns in space and time. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 229, 1–32 (1973)
Eccles, J., Ito, M., Szentágothai, J.: The cerebellum as a neuronal machine. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1967
Golgi, C.: Sulla fina anatomia del cervelletto umano. Lecture, Istituto Lombardo di Sci. e Lett. 8 Jan. 1874. Ch. V in: Opera omnia, vol. I: Istologia normale, 1870–1883, p. 99–111. Milan: Ulrico Hoepli 1903. (1874)
Golgi, C.: Sulla fina anatomia degli organi centrali del sistema nervoso. IV. Sulla final anatomia delle circonvoluzioni cerebellari. Riv. sper. Freniat. 9, 1–17 (1883)
Goodman, Donald, C., Hallett, R. E., Welch, R. B.: Patterns of localization in the cerebellar corticonuclear projections of the albino rat. J. comp. Neurol. 121, 51–67 (1963)
Ito, M., Yoshida, M., Obata, K.: Monosynaptic inhibition of the intracerebellar nuclei induced from the cerebellar cortex. Experentia (Basel) 20, 575–576 (1964)
Korneliussen, H. K.: On the morphology and subdivision of the cerebellar nuclei of the rat. J. Hirnforsch. 10, 109–122 (1968)
Lugaro, E.: Sulla struttura del nucleo dentato del cervelletto nell'uomo. Monit. Zool. Ital. 6, 5–12 (1895)
Matsushita, M., Ikeda, M.: Olivary projections to the cerebellar nuclei in the rat. Exp. Brain Res. 10, 488–500 (1970a)
Matsushita, M., Ikeda, M.: Spinal projections to the cerebellar nuclei in the cat. Exp. Brain Res. 10, 501–511 (1970b)
Matsushita, M., Iwahori, N.: Structural organization of the fastigial nucleus. I. Dendrites and axonal pathways. Brain Res. 25, 597–610 (1971a)
Matsushita, M., Iwahori, N.: Structural organization of the fastigial nucleus. II. Afferent fiber systems. Brain Res. 25, 611–624 (1971b)
Mugnaini, E.: The histology and cytology of the cerebellar cortex. In: The comparative anatomy and histology of the cerebellum: The human cerebellum, cerebellar connections and cerebellar cortex (O. Larsell and J. Jansen, eds.), p. 201–265. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press 1972
O'Leary, J. L., Smith, J. M., Inukai, J., Mejia, H. H.: Architectonics of the cerebellar nuclei in the rabbit. J. comp. Neurol. 144, 399–428 (1972)
Palay, S. L., Chan-Palay, V.: Cerebellar cortex. Cytology and organization. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1973
Ramón y Cajal, S.: Estructura de los centros nerviosos de las aves. Rev. Trimestr. Histol. 1, 1–10 (1888)
Ramón y Cajal, S.: Histologi du système nerveux de l'homme et des vertébrés (trans. by L. Azoulay), vols. 1 and II. Paris: Maloine 1909–1911. Reprinted 1952 and 1955
Saccozzi, A.: Sul nucleo dentato del cervelletto. Riv. Sper. Freniat. Med. Legale 13, 93–99 (1887)
Sotelo, C., Angaut, P.: The fine structure of the cerebellar central nuclei in the cat. I. Neurons and neuroglial cells. Exp. Brain Res. 16, 410–430 (1973)
Van Rossum, J.: Corticonuclear and corticovestibular projections of the cerebellum. Assen: Van Gorcum & Co. 1969
Voogd, J.: The cerebellum of the cat. Structure and fibre connexions. Assen: Van Gorcum & Co. 1964
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by U. S. Public Health Service grants NS10536, NS03659, Training Grant NS05591 from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, and a William F. Milton Fund Award from Harvard University.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chan-Palay, V. A light microscope study of the cytology and organization of neurons in the simple mammalian nucleus lateralis: Columns and swirls. Z. Anat. Entwickl. Gesch. 141, 125–150 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00519881
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00519881