The commissural projection of the superior colliculus in the cat. 1977

S B Edwards

The origin, course, and termination of the commissural projection of the superior colliculus were studied using the orthograde and autoradiographic tracing method and the retrograde method utilizing horseradish peroxidase. The complementary and mutually confirming sets of data showed that the commissural fibers interconnect a restricted region of the colliculi. This region includes the strata grisea intermedium and profundum and to a lesser degree the stratum opticum. It extends throughout only the rostral part of the colliculus where it ends abruptly at a level slightly less than half the distance from the anterior border of the deep gray layers. By using the needle used for isotope injection to record multiunit responses to somatic and visual stimuli, direct evidence was obtained that this region falls within that functional area of the colliculus devoted to face representation and central vision. The results also suggested that more commissural fibers arise from lateral than medial parts of this region and that many fibers interconnect corresponding points in the colliculi. In addition to intertectal connections, the commissural projection contains decussating axons which terminate in tegmental structures and within a restricted zone of the central gray matter directly overlying the oculomotor complex. The results are discussed in relation to the possible role the commissural projection plays in the regulation of eye and head movement.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D009949 Orientation Awareness of oneself in relation to time, place and person. Cognitive Orientation,Mental Orientation,Psychological Orientation,Cognitive Orientations,Mental Orientations,Orientation, Cognitive,Orientation, Mental,Orientation, Psychological,Orientations,Orientations, Cognitive,Orientations, Mental,Orientations, Psychological,Psychological Orientations
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
D001369 Axons Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body. Axon
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
D013681 Tegmentum Mesencephali Portion of midbrain situated under the dorsal TECTUM MESENCEPHALI. The two ventrolateral cylindrical masses or peduncles are large nerve fiber bundles providing a tract of passage between the FOREBRAIN with the HINDBRAIN. Ventral MIDBRAIN also contains three colorful structures: the GRAY MATTER (PERIAQUEDUCTAL GRAY), the black substance (SUBSTANTIA NIGRA), and the RED NUCLEUS. Accessory Oculomotor Nuclei,Annular Nucleus,Darkshevich's Nucleus,Interstitial Nucleus of Cajal,Mesencephalic Tegmentum,Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus,Midbrain Tegmentum,Midbrain Trigeminal Nucleus,Nucleus Annularis,Nucleus Nervi Trochlearis,Nucleus Sagulum,Nucleus Tractus Mesencephalici Nervi Trigemini,Nucleus of Darkschewitsch,Peripeduncular Nucleus,Sagulum Nucleus,Tegmentum of Midbrain,Trochlear Nucleus,Ventral Tegmental Nucleus,Annulari, Nucleus,Annularis, Nucleus,Cajal Interstitial Nucleus,Darkschewitsch Nucleus,Darkshevich Nucleus,Darkshevichs Nucleus,Mesencephali, Tegmentum,Mesencephalic Tegmentums,Mesencephalus, Tegmentum,Midbrain Tegmentums,Nervi Trochleari, Nucleus,Nervi Trochlearis, Nucleus,Nuclei, Accessory Oculomotor,Nucleus Annulari,Nucleus Nervi Trochleari,Nucleus Sagulums,Nucleus, Annular,Nucleus, Darkshevich's,Nucleus, Mesencephalic Trigeminal,Nucleus, Midbrain Trigeminal,Nucleus, Peripeduncular,Nucleus, Sagulum,Nucleus, Trochlear,Nucleus, Ventral Tegmental,Oculomotor Nuclei, Accessory,Sagulum, Nucleus,Sagulums, Nucleus,Tegmental Nucleus, Ventral,Tegmentum Mesencephalus,Tegmentum, Mesencephalic,Tegmentum, Midbrain,Tegmentums, Mesencephalic,Tegmentums, Midbrain,Trigeminal Nucleus, Mesencephalic,Trigeminal Nucleus, Midbrain,Trochleari, Nucleus Nervi,Trochlearis, Nucleus Nervi
D014796 Visual Perception The selecting and organizing of visual stimuli based on the individual's past experience. Visual Processing,Perception, Visual,Processing, Visual
Copied contents to your clipboard!