Morphological properties of vestibulospinal neurons in primates.
The lateral and medial vestibulospinal tracts constitute the major descending pathways controlling extensor musculature of the body. We examined the axon morphology and synaptic input patterns and targets in the cervical spinal segments from these tract cells using intracellular recording and biocytin labeling in the squirrel monkey. Lumbosacral projecting cells represent a private, and mostly rapid, communication pathway between the dorsal Deiters' nucleus and the motor circuits controlling the lower limbs and tail. The cervical projecting cells provide both redundant and variable synaptic input to spinal cell groups, suggesting both general and specific control of the head and neck reflexes.
Boyle
Richard
R
Life Sciences Division, Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA. richard.boyle@nasa.gov
Johanson
Curt
C
D000818:Animals; D000870:Anterior Horn Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D008239:Lysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000502:physiology; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012453:Saimiri; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
C013411:biocytin; D008239:Lysine