Summary
Profiles of 14 neurons all sectioned through the nucleolar plane and 87 isolated dendritic profiles have been analyzed with respect to the surface area covered by boutons and astroglial processes. This analysis has revealed two different types of neurons within the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) of the cat. The cell types also differ in other ultrastructural respects. One type, which probably consists of projection neurons, is characterized by a rather large size, a relatively small nucleus, numerous mitochondria, well developed granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum. The cell membrane of these cells shows somatic spines and the perikaryon is covered with boutons to a mean extent of 42%. The other cell type, which probably is internuncial, is smaller, has a proportionally larger nucleus, few mitochondria and a poorly developed granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum. These cells show no somatic spines and the perikaryal membrane is covered with boutons to an extent of about 10%. Also the bouton populations contacting the two cell types differ from one another. The proportion of internuncial neurons within the LCN has been estimated to about 8%. The internuncial neurons seem to have no preferential localization.
The primary dendrites of the projection neurons have a bouton covering of about 48%. No proportional differences in covering could be revealed between different sizes of dendrites.
The results are discussed in relation to what is known about the anatomical and physiological organization of the LCN, and also compared with the results obtained in other similar investigations on other parts of the central nervous system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blackstadt, T. W., Dahl, H. A.: Quantitative evaluation of structures in contact with neuronal somata. Acta morph. neerl.-scand. 4, 329–343 (1961).
Busch, H. F. M.: An anatomical analysis of the white matter in the brain stem of the cat, p. 56–57, 59–61, 63. Assen: Van Gorcum & Co. N. V. 1961.
Conradi, S.: Ultrastructure and distribution of neuronal and glial elements on the motorneuron surface in the lumbosacral spinal cord of the adult cat. Acta physiol. scand., Suppl. 332, 5–48 (1969).
Gordon, G., Jukes, M. G. M.: An investigation of cells in the lateral cervical nucleus of the cat which respond to stimulation of the skin. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 169, 28–29 P (1963).
Horrobin, D. F.: The lateral cervical nucleus of the cat: an electrophysiological study. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 51, 351–371 (1966).
Karlsson, U.: Three-dimensional studies of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the rat. II. Environment of perikarya and proximal parts of their branches. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 16, 482–504 (1966).
Landgren, S., Nordvall, A., Wengström, C.: The location of the thalamic relay in the spinocervico-lemniscal path. Acta physiol. scand. 65, 164–175 (1965).
Morin, F.: A new spinal pathway for cutaneous impulses. Amer. J. Physiol. 183, 245–252 (1955).
—, Thomas, L. M.: Spinothalamic fibers and tactile pathways in cat. Anat. Rec. 121, 344 (1955).
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electronopaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).
Sjöstrand, F. S.: Ultrastructure of retinal rod synapses of the guinea pig eye as revealed by threedimensional reconstructions from serial sections. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 2, 122–170 (1958).
Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–478 (1958).
Westman, J.: The lateral cervical nucleus in the cat. I. A Golgi study. Brain Res. 10, 352–368 (1968a).
—: The lateral cervical nucleus in the cat. II. An electron microscopical study of the normal structure. Brain Res. 11, 107–123 (1968b).
—: The lateral cervical nucleus in the cat. III. An electron microscopical study after transection of spinal afferents. Exp. Brain Res. 7, 32–50 (1969).
- Quantitative estimation of the proportion of perikaryal surface area covered by boutons-a possibility to distinguish different nerve cell populations. Brain. Res. In press 1971.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The author is grateful to fil.kand. Göran Engholm for his help with the statistical considerations.
This work was supported by grants from Anders Otto Swärds Stiftelse, Stiftelsen Lars Hiertas minne, Åhlén och Holms stiftelse, Åke Wibergs stiftelse and the Swedish Medical Research Council (Project No B70-12X-2710).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Westman, J. The lateral cervical nucleus in the cat. Z. Zellforsch. 115, 377–387 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00324940
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00324940