Neuronal distribution in caudate nucleus and reticular-caudate pathways.
Methods of quantitative stereology are employed to determine the cell body diameters and the disposition of the neurons of caudate nucleus (CN) of the cat. Large neurons are more frequent in the infero-external region in a well defined zone 16 to 18 mm ahead of the interaural plane. Silver impregnations and electron microscopy after lesions in the ponto-mesencephalic reticular formation demonstrate its direct projections on the nucleus centralis medialis thalami and on the CN. Ascending fibers run along the ventral and lateral surfaces of the thalamus, some of them penetrate to the lamina medullaris medialis making contact in intralaminar nuclei and in the nucleus centralis medialis, others continue through the internal capsule to end in the infero-external region of the CN. The reticular formation of one side projects to both CN.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000166:cytology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology*; D012154:Reticular Formation / Q000166:cytology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling