Summary
This study has been performed to define better the anatomical structure of the oculomotor nuclear complex and its neuronal components. The oculomotor nuclear complex was examined in fixed and serially sectioned midbrains from 12 adult subjects free from neurological diseases. The complex included the somatic portion, (formed by multipolar motor neurons), and the parasympathetic portion, (formed by oval or fusiform preganglionic cells), on each side of the median raphe. The somatic portion consisted of the lateral somatic cell column and the caudal central nucleus. The somatic column measured from 0.2×0.1 mm to 3.4×1.4 mm (X=2.4×1.2 mm) in transverse section. It was divided into the principal, intrafascicular and extrafascicular parts. The principal part was subdivided into the dorsal, intermediate and ventral portions. Isolated multipolar neurons were also found in the periaqueductal gray matter, the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and the fibre bundles of the oculomotor nerve. These cells most likely represent the displaced motor neurons of the oculomotor nerve. The caudal central nucleus was 0.8×0.6 mm in size. The Edinger-Westphal nucleus consisted of the rostral, ventral and dorsal parts; the longest rostrocaudal diameter of this nucleus measured 7.1 mm. The anatomical data of our study are relevant clinically and allow explanation of the neurologic signs following complete or partial lesions of the oculomotor nuclear complex.
Résumé
Cette étude a été entreprise pour mieux définir la structure anatomique du complexe nucléaire du n. oculomoteur et ses composants neuronaux. Le complexe nucléaire du n. oculomoteur a été examiné sur les troncs cérébraux fixés et coupés en série, provenant de 12 adultes exempts de maladie nerveuse. Le complexe comprenait la portion somatique (formée par des neurones moteurs multipolaires) et la partie parasympathique (formée par des cellules pré-ganglionnaires ovales ou fusiformes) de chaque côté du raphé médian. La portion somatique était formée par la colonne somatique latérale et le noyau caudal central. La colonne somatique mesurait entre 0,2 × 0,1 mm et 3,4 × 1,4 mm (moyenne = 2,4 × 1,2 mm) sur les coupes transversales. Elle était divisée en parties principale, intrafasciculaire et extrafasciculaire. La partie principale était subdivisée en portions dorsale, intermédiaire et ventrale. Des neurones multipolaires isolés ont également été trouvés dans la substance grise péri-aqueductale, le noyau interstitiel de Cajal, le noyau d'Edinger-Westphal, et les faisceaux des fibres du n. oculomoteur. Ces cellules représentent très vraisemblablement des neurones moteurs déplacés du n. oculomoteur. Le noyau caudal central mesurait 0,8 × 0,6 mm. Le noyau d'Edinger-Westphal comprenait les parties rostrale, ventrale et dorsale ; son plus long diamètre rostro-caudal mesurait 7,1 mm. Les documents anatomiques tirés de notre étude sont importants en clinique et permettent d'expliquer les signes neurologiques consécutifs à des lésions complètes ou partielles du complexe nucléaire du n. oculomoteur.
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Donzelli, R., Marinkovic, S., Brigante, L. et al. The oculomotor nuclear complex in humans. Surg Radiol Anat 20, 7–12 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01628108
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01628108