Biomaterial Database

The fine structure of the subthalamic nucleus in the cat. I. Neuronal perikarya. 1985

K V Romansky, and K G Usunoff

The fine structure of the neurons in the subthalamic nucleus (Sth) of the cat has been studied. On the basis of the following criteria: the size and the shape of the neuronal perikarya, the ultrastructural characteristics of their organelles, the presence and quantity of somatic spines and their afferentation, three categories of neuronal perikarya were discriminated: large, medium and small neurons. The large neurons have a diameter above 18 microns and nucleocytoplasmic ratio above 1:1,8. These neurons are the richest in organelles, possess the most numerous spines, and are most afferented. According to their shape, the large neurons were subdivided in multipolar, fusiform, and irregular types. The medium sized neurons have a mean diameter between 16 and 13 microns and nucleocytoplasmic ratio 1:1,5-1:1,3. Their cytoplasm contains a lesser number of organelles that are more loosely distributed. The medium neurons possess a small number of somatic spines and are less afferented. The small neurons have a mean diameter below 12 microns and their nucleocytoplasmic ratio is below 1:1,2. Their cytoplasm is poor in organelles and they usually lack spines. The small neurons are remarkably oligoafferented. The large neurons constitute approximately 25%, the medium sized - about 50%, and the small neurons - less than 5% of the neuronal population. The remaining neuronal perikarya do not offer reliable electron microscopical criteria that could allow an unequivocal discrimination.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
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
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
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
D002467	Cell Nucleus	Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D004027	Diencephalon	The paired caudal parts of the PROSENCEPHALON from which the THALAMUS; HYPOTHALAMUS; EPITHALAMUS; and SUBTHALAMUS are derived.	Interbrain,Interbrains
D005260	Female		Females
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
D013787	Thalamic Nuclei	Several groups of nuclei in the thalamus that serve as the major relay centers for sensory impulses in the brain.	Nuclei, Thalamic