Perforated Synapses in the Acoustic Area of the Human Brain

Abstract

Morphological studies were made of human acoustic cortex by light and electron microscopy. The synapses of the cortical neurons were described and their morphology was correlated with the morphology of the neurons on each cortical layer. Most of the synapses are triangular, disc-like, ovoid fusiform or mushroom-shaped. Complex-shaped perforated synapses were found in a high proportion in the primary acoustic area of the cortex. These synapses could be of special functional significance since they are mainly located in areas of specific functional importance.

Key Words:

• synapses
• acoustic cortex