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The ultrastructure of the medial preoptic area of the rat

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Summary

The neuronal and glial cell bodies and the neuropil of the medial preoptic area of the rat hypothalamus were studied under the electron microscope. Two different types of neurons are identified on the basis of electron density. These two types differed in a number of ultrastructural features. Three types of nerve terminals based on vesicle morphology are also described, as well as the general structure of the axons, dendrites and synapses in the neuropil. The structure of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes is also discussed.

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The authors wish to thank Dr. Robert Hikida for technical advice on electron microscopy and photographic techniques.

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Prince, F.P., Jones-Witters, P.H. The ultrastructure of the medial preoptic area of the rat. Cell Tissue Res. 153, 517–530 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00231544

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