Projections from the auditory cortex to the nucleus of the oculomotor nerve. Silver impregnation and radioautographical study.
A monosynaptic, bilateral connection, between morphophysiological auditory cortical areas and the nucleus of the oculomotor nerve was established by means of contemporary silver impregnation methods and radioautographical technique. Degenerating (resp.--labeled) axons enter the oculomotor nucleus neuropil diffusely from rostro-dorso-laterally, and proceed caudo-ventro-medially. The number of degenerating (resp.--labeled) preterminals and terminals is larger within the territory of the nucleus, located ipsilaterally to the cortical lesion (resp.--isotope injection). The presently described projection is relatively very modest, when compared with the substantial connections of the auditory cortex with the subcortical centers of the auditory system. However, the direct temporooculomotor pathway might serve as a rapid and effective mechanism for the vision-turning reflex after auditory stimulation.
Paloff
A M
AM
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Institute of Medical and Biological Sciences, Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Chouchkov
C N
CN
Usunoff
K G
KG
D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001345:Autoradiography; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002415:Cats; D009802:Oculomotor Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012834:Silver
D012834:Silver