Summary
The nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis (PGCL) is located in the ventral portion of the rostral medulla. Serial sections of the rat brainstem were examined in the three cardinal planes and the boundaries of the PGCL were determined. In order to visualize the shape and extent of the nucleus, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the PGCL was made from a series of coronal sections. Measurements of neuronal areas, lengths, and widths indicate that a number of neuronal types are present. Small neurons measure less than 150 μm2 and large neurons greater than 250 μm2.
Some neuronal types are distributed preferentially throught the PGCL, and on this basis the nucleus may be divided into caudal and rostral subgroups. Most large neurons (>250 μm2) are found in the caudal portion. Certain neurons contain intranuclear rods, and these neurons are often disposed in small groups, especially common in the caudal PGCL. Two morphologically distinct neuronal types incorporate 3H-serotonin when this marker is infused into the ventricular system; the other neurons not marked by this method probably contain other, different transmitters. On the basis of neuronal measurements and staining qualities, it is ascertained that the PGCL is a parvocellular reticular nucleus characterized by many neuronal types.
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Abbreviations
- A :
-
nucleus ambiguus
- Gc :
-
nucleus gigantocellularis
- IO :
-
inferior olivary nucleus
- L :
-
lateral reticular nucleus (pars magnocellularis)
- PGCL :
-
nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis
- Pv :
-
nucleus parvocellularis
- Py :
-
pyramid
- s :
-
lateral reticular nucleus (pars subtrigeminalis)
- Tz :
-
medial nucleus of the trapezoid body
- VII :
-
motor nucleus of the facial nerve
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Supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Research Grants NS 10536 and NS 03659 and Training Grant NS 05591 from the National Institute for Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke
Reported in preliminary form at the 91st session of the American Association of Anatomists, Vancouver, B.C., 1978
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Andrezik, J.A., Chan-Palay, V. & Palay, S.L. The nucleus paragigantocellularis lateralis in the rat. Anat Embryol 161, 355–371 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00316048
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00316048