Biomaterial Database

Distribution of cells projecting to thalamus vs. those projecting to cerebellum in subdivisions of the dorsal column nuclei in raccoons. 1988

E M Ostapoff, and J I Johnson

Anatomy Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1316.

To learn the distribution of cells projecting to the thalamus, as opposed to the cerebellum, in the mechanosensory nuclei of the dorsal medulla of raccoons, we analyzed the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase from the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus and from the cerebellum. We found six nuclear regions projecting heavily to the thalamus with very small projections to the cerebellum: Bischoff's, central cuneate, central gracile, rostral cuneate, rostral gracile nuclei, and cell group z. Two regions showed heavy projections to the cerebellum with no projections to the thalamus: the lateral portion of the external cuneate nucleus and the compact portion of cell group x. Four regions showed more equivalent projections to both target regions: basal cuneate, medial portion of the external cuneate nucleus, medial tongue extension of the external cuneate nucleus, and reticular portion of cell group x. Three more ventral regions were labeled: lateral cervical nucleus from thalamic injections but not from cerebellar injections; central cervical nucleus from cerebellar injections, which crossed the midline, but not from thalamic injections; and lateral reticular nucleus from both target regions. In most medullary regions, most cells project to one target and very few project to the other; we suggest that the cells projecting to the minor target convey samples of the information going to the major target.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008526	Medulla Oblongata	The lower portion of the BRAIN STEM. It is inferior to the PONS and anterior to the CEREBELLUM. Medulla oblongata serves as a relay station between the brain and the spinal cord, and contains centers for regulating respiratory, vasomotor, cardiac, and reflex activities.	Accessory Cuneate Nucleus,Ambiguous Nucleus,Arcuate Nucleus of the Medulla,Arcuate Nucleus-1,External Cuneate Nucleus,Lateral Cuneate Nucleus,Nucleus Ambiguus,Ambiguus, Nucleus,Arcuate Nucleus 1,Arcuate Nucleus-1s,Cuneate Nucleus, Accessory,Cuneate Nucleus, External,Cuneate Nucleus, Lateral,Medulla Oblongatas,Nucleus, Accessory Cuneate,Nucleus, Ambiguous,Nucleus, External Cuneate,Nucleus, Lateral Cuneate
D009434	Neural Pathways	Neural tracts connecting one part of the nervous system with another.	Neural Interconnections,Interconnection, Neural,Interconnections, Neural,Neural Interconnection,Neural Pathway,Pathway, Neural,Pathways, Neural
D011821	Raccoons	Carnivores of the genus Procyon of the family PROCYONIDAE. Two subgenera and seven species are currently recognized. They range from southern Canada to Panama and are found in several of the Caribbean Islands.	Procyon,Procyons,Raccoon
D001931	Brain Mapping	Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures.	Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
D002531	Cerebellum	The part of brain that lies behind the BRAIN STEM in the posterior base of skull (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR). It is also known as the "little brain" with convolutions similar to those of CEREBRAL CORTEX, inner white matter, and deep cerebellar nuclei. Its function is to coordinate voluntary movements, maintain balance, and learn motor skills.	Cerebella,Corpus Cerebelli,Parencephalon,Cerebellums,Parencephalons
D006735	Horseradish Peroxidase	An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology.	Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013788	Thalamus	Paired bodies containing mostly GRAY MATTER and forming part of the lateral wall of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain.	Thalamencephalon,Thalamencephalons