Projections of reticular neurones to dorsal regions of the spinal cord in the cat.
Reticulospinal neurones in the cat were identified by extracellular recording and antidromic stimulation of their axons in the cord. Approximately 34% of reticulospinal neurones in the medulla, and 28% in the pons, were found to project to dorsal regions of the cord, between T9 and L2. Most of these neurones had one branch situated dorsally and another in the ventral or ventrolateral funiculus. Some branches travelled for short distances in the dorsal columns. Microstimulation techniques demonstrated the presence of branches of reticulospinal fibres in the dorsal horn. The results may provide an anatomical basis for the widespread effects of stimulation of the reticular formation on afferent transmission in the spinal cord.
Peacock
M J
MJ
Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TJ, Great Britain.
Wolstencroft
J H
JH