Primary afferent fiber distribution at brachial and lumbosacral spinal cord levels in the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis virigniana).
This paper describes the spinal cord distribution of primary afferent fibers from forelimb and hindlimb in the North American opossum. Fibers entering the cord distribute to all ipsilateral laminae (I-IX) within their segment of entry, often have a small crossed projection to the contralateral dorsal horn, and extend as well into adjacent segments of lumboseacral and cervical enlargements. Segmentally derived afferents have a longitudinal extent of up to 10 segments into laminae VI and VII, of 5-6 segments into dorsal horn laminae I-IV, and are most restricted in their projection to maina IX (2-3 segments). The total extent and the detailed pattern of distribution of these fibers is very similar to that of previously studied placental mammals.
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000818:Animals; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology*; D009893:Opossums / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000166:cytology