Stellate cells and their axonal patterns in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus of the cat (Felis domesticus).
Stellate cells (Stc) in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus of the cat are divided according to cell body size and shape, dendritic branching pattern and axonal arborization into large, medium-size and small categories. Each of these were divided in different cell types. Three types of large Stc, six types of medium sized Stc and one type of small Stc were described. All of these cell types differ from each other in their morphological characteristics. Stc contribute to the neuropil organization of the central nucleus with numerous axonal collaterals which differ in their form and extension. Large and medium-sized Stc could be projecting neurons with a system of local axonal collaterals while the small Stc is considered a Golgi II type neuron. The probable synaptic relationships between Stc and disc-shaped neurons as well as between the different types of Stc are described. The mode of this probable synaptic arrangement suggests that another level of organization exist in the central nucleus, superimposed to the anatomically defined fibrodendritic laminae.
Herrera
M
M
Department of Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alicante, Spain.
Correa
J
J
Sanchez del Campo
F
F
Ruiz
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002415:Cats; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology*; D012834:Silver; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D012834:Silver