title: Ascending spinal projections to the optic tectum, facial and vagal lobes in the goldfish, Carassius auratus.
abstract: Using biotinylated dextran-amines as tracer, we observed prominent ascending spinal projections to three unreported areas in the gold fish brain viz. the optic tectum (OT), facial (FL) and vagal (VL) lobes. From the lateral spinal lemniscus (LSL), some fiber tracts separated off and extended mediodorsally, fanned out and innervated the FL. The VL was clearly laminated and showed three layers-the inner primary motor neuron and fiber layer (PMNF), outer secondary neuron layer (SN) and middle primary and secondary fiber layer (PSF). The PMNF received maximal innervation. Besides several fibers extending directly into the SN from the LSL, a few fibers extended dorsolaterally from the PMNF and innervated the SN. Several ascending fibers extended into the torus semicircularis, thalamic and pretectal areas and innervated the OT. The possible functional significance of the spinal innervation of these brain areas has been discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Munger Pavilion, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Prasada Rao
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D006054:Goldfish / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000502:physiology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*