Principles in the Anatomic Organization of the Vestibular Nuclei as Demonstrated in Golgi and Experimental Studies in the Cat

Abstract

The present account was centered around recent studies on the vestibular nuclear complex and was particularly concerned with aspects of the finer anatomy assumed to be of interest in an analysis of the functional organization. Experimental investigations have shown that the various efferent fiber connections have their particular and often restricted sites of origin. A similar principle is valid for the afferent connections. Regional cytoarchitectural variations are revealed, corresponding largely with the differences in fiber connections. Integration of vestibular impulses with those from other sources is assumed to take place in these nuclei. Interest was therefore devoted to observations on interconnections between the subgroups of the complex by way of axons and collaterals as well as dendrites; the presence of internuncial cells; and the synaptic relations between afferent fibres and the nerve cells. Related findings made in a Golgi study by the author were referred. A correlation of some anatomical and physiological observations was made.