The topographical projection of the nucleus isthmi pars parvocellularis (Ipc) onto the tectum opticum in the pigeon.
The projection of the nucleus isthmi pars parvocellularis (Ipc) onto the tectum opticum was studied with tectal injections of three different fluorescent tracers and wheat germ-agglutinated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) in 21 pigeons. In frontal sections obtained, the relationship between position and size of the tectal injection and the location of the retrogradely labelled Ipc neurons were analyzed. The results reveal a topographically organized system with reciprocal projections in which the dorsoventral axis of the tectum receives afferents from the lateromedial axis of the Ipc. The caudorostral tectal axis is innervated by neurons situated along the caudorostral axis of the Ipc. Specific points on the tectal surface do not correspond to single points within the Ipc, but to column-like strings of Ipc neurons extending through the dorsoventral aspect of the nucleus.
Güntürkün
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O
Allgemeine Psychologie, Universität Konstanz, F.R.G.
Remy
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M
D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes