Summary
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1.
The origin and termination was determined for cells belonging to the cuneocerebellar tract in the cat, which consists of one proprioceptive component (P-CCT) activated by group I muscle afferents and one exteroceptive component (E-CCT) activated by cutaneous afferents. The recording sites of the cells were histologically verified and the termination of the axons assessed by antidromic activation from the cerebellar surface.
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2.
The P-CCT originates from cells in the external cuneate nucleus, where forelimb muscles are somatotopically represented. The observations suggest that practically all cells in this nucleus project to the cerebellum and are activated by muscle afferents.
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3.
The E-CCT originates from cells in the rostral part of the main cuneate nucleus, where they occur intermingled with lemniscal neurones.
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4.
The CCT terminates in the pars intermedia of lobule V of the anterior lobe and in the four rostral folia of the paramedian lobule. The majority of the cells send one branch to each projection area.
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5.
The P-CCT and E-CCT terminate in the same projection areas.
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6.
CCT neurones activated from distal and proximal parts of the limb terminate diffusely in the entire projection area, although there is some tendency for neurones activated from distal parts to terminate caudally and for neurones activated from proximal parts to terminate rostrally.
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Cooke, J.D., Larson, B., Oscarsson, O. et al. Origin and termination of cuneocerebellar tract. Exp Brain Res 13, 339–358 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234336
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00234336