Observations on the axonal and neuronal typology in the commissure of the inferior colliculus of the rabbit.
Different types of neurons and fibres in the Commissura colliculi inferiores (CCI) of the rabbit are described using the Golgi rapid method. Neurons were classified according to soma shape, dendritic arborization and location within the commissure. Four main neuronal types were found i.e., (1) Vertical cells; (2) Multipolar cells; (3) Horizontal cells; (4) Small rounded cells. With exception of the latter, all neuron types could be divided into several cells varieties. Four different types of fibres were observed within the CCI: a) myelinated commissural fibres; b) fibres from the dorsal cortex of the colliculus; c) fibres from the dorsal PAG nucleus; d) intrinsic fibres from the neurons of the CCI. The results of this study demonstrate the non-homogeneous structure of the CCI, which was earlier shown in the cat and rat. Also, a division of some of the commissural neurons into local and projecting neurons, based on their axonal branching pattern is suggested.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits