The Interior Olivary Complex of Guinea Pig: Cytoarchitecture and Cellular Morphology

Abstract

The inferior olivary complex (IOC) of the guinea pig can be divided into three primary subdivisions: the principal olive (PO), the medial accessory olive (MAO), and the dorsal accessory olive (DAO). In Nissl-stained preparations, the PO possessed darker staining cells than did the MAO and DAO and was the most densely populated with cells. All neuronal somata in the OOC were oblique-spheroid in profile. Based on Golgi impregnations, it was apparent that inferior olive cells were of two unique radiate-cell types (I and II). Type I neurons had relatively diffuse, sparsely branched dendritic arbors, whereas type II cells had dendrites which were highly branched and massed about the cell body, at times creating complex spirals. Type II cells were further categorized into types IIa and IIb based on geometric variations of the type II dendritic arbors. Indices of branching and tortuosity, together with estimates of dendritic arbor volume, were quite helpful in distinguishing cell types. The cell types were differentially distributed across the subdivisions with type I neurons being encountered in the MAO while type II cells were found in all three subdivisions. Within the neuropil of the IOC, three different afferent axonal arbors were identified, as was the presence of dendrites from surrounding reticular formations cells. Neuronal aggregates creating a possible electrical syncytium within the IOC are consistent with the dendroarchitectonics of the cells. Reprints.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA199396

Entities

People

  • Beth E. Peterson
  • Robert E. Foster

Organizations

  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Brain
  • Cells
  • Central Nervous System
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Databases
  • Factor Analysis
  • Geometry
  • Information Processing
  • Information Science
  • Mammals
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Neurons
  • Rodents
  • Skull
  • Spinal Cord
  • Three Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Biology

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  • Neuroscience
  • Systems Analysis and Design