Cytochrome oxidase patches and Meynert cells in monkey visual cortex.
In area 17 of Macaca mulatta large Meynert cells have their cell bodies located in the vicinity of the border between layers V and VI. When the distribution of these cell bodies is plotted in the tangential plane they are found not to be randomly distributed, but arranged in a sheet such that they outline holes or gaps. In sections of area 17 reacted for cytochrome oxidase, which indicates the relative level of metabolic activity in neurons and neuropil. Meynert cell bodies are clearly visible as large highly reactive neurons against a background of much lower reactivity. In reconstructions it is apparent that the holes or gaps in their distribution pattern lie beneath the high cytochrome oxidase reactive patches or blobs in layer II/III. In other words, the Meynert cell bodies lie predominantly beneath the low cytochrome oxidase reactive interpatch regions of layer II/III. On the basis of what is known about the functional connections of neurons in area 17 it is suggested that this arrangement of Meynert cells indicates that they are involved in the detection of movement in the visual field, a suggestion that is supported by the known projections of the Meynert cells to the superior colliculus and cortical area V5.
Payne
B R
BR
Department of Anatomy, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118.
Peters
A
A
D000818:Animals; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology
D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV