Biomaterial Database

Synaptic terminals in the ventroposterolateral nucleus of the thalamus from neurons in the dorsal column and lateral cervical nuclei: an electron microscopic study in the cat. 1985

A Blomqvist, and R Flink, and J Westman, and M Wiberg

The afferent fibres to the ventroposterolateral nucleus (VPL) of the contralateral thalamus from neurons in the dorsal column nuclei (DCN) and the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) were labelled by anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate and subsequent histochemical processing with tetramethyl benzidine. In accordance with the results of previous light microscopical studies using the degeneration method or autoradiographic tracing technique, the distribution of the afferents from the DCN and LCN in the VPL differed considerably. Thus the DCN terminals, which were calculated to constitute about 7-8% of the total number of boutons in the VPL, were found throughout the entire VPL, whereas the LCN terminals were mainly located in its dorsal and dorsolateral parts, where they made up about 1% of the total number of boutons. However, the morphology and synaptic organization of the terminals from the DCN and LCN were virtually identical. Thus the synaptic terminals of the two afferent pathways seemed to be represented by large boutons of a similar type, which had large, slightly oval and loosely packed synaptic vesicles and contained numerous mitochondria. Both DCN and LCN terminals synapsed preferentially on medium-sized to large dendrites, but were also presynaptic to other vesicle-containing profiles, probably of internuncial origin, which in turn were in synaptic contact with the same dendrites as the labelled ones. It is suggested that the differences in physiological properties between the somatosensory information that is transmitted to the somatosensory cortex via the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway and the spino-cervico-thalamic tract do not seem to have a counterpart in differences in the synaptic organization of their relay in the VPL.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008845	Microinjections	The injection of very small amounts of fluid, often with the aid of a microscope and microsyringes.	Microinjection
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009411	Nerve Endings	Branch-like terminations of NERVE FIBERS, sensory or motor NEURONS. Endings of sensory neurons are the beginnings of afferent pathway to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Endings of motor neurons are the terminals of axons at the muscle cells. Nerve endings which release neurotransmitters are called PRESYNAPTIC TERMINALS.	Ending, Nerve,Endings, Nerve,Nerve Ending
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D002452	Cell Count	The number of CELLS of a specific kind, usually measured per unit volume or area of sample.	Cell Density,Cell Number,Cell Counts,Cell Densities,Cell Numbers,Count, Cell,Counts, Cell,Densities, Cell,Density, Cell,Number, Cell,Numbers, Cell
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
D000344	Afferent Pathways	Nerve structures through which impulses are conducted from a peripheral part toward a nerve center.	Afferent Pathway,Pathway, Afferent,Pathways, Afferent
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
D001560	Benzidines	Very toxic industrial chemicals. They are absorbed through the skin, causing lethal blood, bladder, liver, and kidney damage and are potent, broad-spectrum carcinogens in most species.	Bianilines,Biphenyldiamines
D013116	Spinal Cord	A cylindrical column of tissue that lies within the vertebral canal. It is composed of WHITE MATTER and GRAY MATTER.	Coccygeal Cord,Conus Medullaris,Conus Terminalis,Lumbar Cord,Medulla Spinalis,Myelon,Sacral Cord,Thoracic Cord,Coccygeal Cords,Conus Medullari,Conus Terminali,Cord, Coccygeal,Cord, Lumbar,Cord, Sacral,Cord, Spinal,Cord, Thoracic,Cords, Coccygeal,Cords, Lumbar,Cords, Sacral,Cords, Spinal,Cords, Thoracic,Lumbar Cords,Medulla Spinali,Medullari, Conus,Medullaris, Conus,Myelons,Sacral Cords,Spinal Cords,Spinali, Medulla,Spinalis, Medulla,Terminali, Conus,Terminalis, Conus,Thoracic Cords