Analysis of the ipsi- and contralateral location of the neurons of the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis projecting to the cerebellum and of the trajectory of their axons within the pons to the brachium pontis. An "in vivo" and "in vitro" study.
Using three different retrograde tracing techniques, we analysed the broad distribution of ipsi-, contra- and bilateral NRTP neurons projecting to the cerebellum in the adult rat. The placement of the tracers into the cerebellar peduncles allowed us to determine the overall pattern of the NRTP-cerebellar projection. At the same time, the HRP "in vitro" technique permitted the study of the axonal profiles of the NRTP neurons within the pons until reaching the brachium pontis. Our observations confirm: i) A symmetrical organization of the NRTP-cerebellar projection, the number and location of ipsi- and contralateral NRTP neurons being very similar in all cases; ii) The only exception is represented by the rostralmost portions of the NRTP, in which the neurons show a cluster-complementary pattern; iii) The axons of the NRTP neurons cross the pontine midline at the dorsalmost aspect of the BPN, occupying a medial location within the brachium pontis.
Armengol
J A
JA
Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla.
Salinas
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002529:Cerebellar Nuclei / Q000166:cytology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011149:Pons / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase