title: Primary afferent fiber distribution at brachial and lumbosacral spinal cord levels in the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis virigniana).
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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