A Golgi study of the rat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus.

Journal article

Golgi Kopsch and Cox preparations of albino rat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus show two classes of neuron. Class A cells (assumed geniculocortical relay cells) have tufted dendritic arborizations, smooth primary dendrites, occasional excrescence clusters at dendritic branch points, irregular, small excrescences along distal dendrites, and myelinated axons. A subclass, more common medially, has long, smooth, radiating dendrites that branch sparsely. Class B cells are small (approx. 10 μ diameter) paucidendritic, and commonly bipolar. Their dendrites branch rarely and often run for long distances maintaining a uniform diameter. They are commonly oriented so that their dendrites extend either dorso ventrally or approximately antero posteriorly (i.e., parallel to either the representation of the vertical meridian or to the lines of projection). The dendrites bear complex appendages, often branched and several microns long, with en passant and terminal varicosities. Some class B cells also appear to have axons, but conclusive evidence is lacking. Class B cells may be intrinsic neurons, corresponding to the electrophysiologically identified inhibitory interneurons and to cells seen by electron microscopy to have presynaptic perikarya and dendrites. The complex dendritic appendages probably enter synaptic glomeruli within which they establish pre and postsynaptic contacts. Whether class B cells are comparable with the Golgi type II cells of other thalamic nuclei remains an open question. Three classes of axons are also described, and their possible origins considered.

Authors: Grossman, A; Lieberman, A; Webster, K

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of comparative neurology
• Volume: 150
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 441-466
• Publication date: 1973-08-01
• DOI: 10.1002/cne.901500404
• EISSN: 1096-9861
• ISSN: 0021-9967
• Language: English
• Keywords: Rats; Geniculate Bodies; Animals; Synapses; Microscopy, Electron; Neurons; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated; Myelin Sheath; Axons; Dendrites