Biomaterial Database

Space-mapped auditory projections from the inferior colliculus to the optic tectum in the barn owl (Tyto alba). 1983

E I Knudsen, and P F Knudsen

The optic tectum of the owl contains a topographic representation of auditory space. We have investigated the source of this space-mapped auditory activity by using retrograde tracing with horseradish peroxidase. The major source of auditory input to the optic tectum is the ipsilateral external nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICX), which is known to contain a map of auditory space also. Additional minor projections originate in the superficial nucleus of the inferior colliculus and the nucleus isthmi parvocellularis. There is no apparent projection to the optic tectum from the contralateral ICX or any other brainstem auditory nucleus. The projection from the ICX to the optic tectum is point-to-point: rostral ICX projects to rostral tectum, caudal ICX to caudal tectum, dorsal ICX to dorsomedial tectum, and ventral ICX to ventral tectum. Thus, the space-mapped organization that exists in the ICX is passed on by topographic projections to the optic tectum.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007245	Inferior Colliculi	The posterior pair of the quadrigeminal bodies which contain centers for auditory function.	Colliculus, Inferior,Brachial Nucleus of the Inferior Colliculus,Caudal Colliculus,Colliculus Inferior,Inferior Colliculus,Posterior Colliculus,Colliculi, Inferior,Colliculus Inferiors,Colliculus, Caudal,Colliculus, Posterior,Inferior, Colliculus,Inferiors, Colliculus
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
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
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
D001306	Auditory Pathways	NEURAL PATHWAYS and connections within the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, beginning at the hair cells of the ORGAN OF CORTI, continuing along the eighth cranial nerve, and terminating at the AUDITORY CORTEX.	Auditory Pathway,Pathway, Auditory,Pathways, Auditory
D001717	Birds	Warm-blooded VERTEBRATES possessing FEATHERS and belonging to the class Aves.	Aves,Bird
D013477	Superior Colliculi	The anterior pair of the quadrigeminal bodies which coordinate the general behavioral orienting responses to visual stimuli, such as whole-body turning, and reaching.	Colliculus, Superior,Optic Lobe, Human,Optic Lobe, Mammalian,Optic Tectum,Anterior Colliculus,Superior Colliculus,Tectum, Optic,Colliculi, Superior,Colliculus, Anterior,Human Optic Lobe,Human Optic Lobes,Mammalian Optic Lobe,Mammalian Optic Lobes,Optic Lobes, Human,Optic Lobes, Mammalian,Optic Tectums,Tectums, Optic