The neuronal structure of the globus pallidus in the rabbit--Nissl and Golgi studies

The studies were carried out on the telencephalons of 12 adult rabbits. Two types of neurons were distinguished: 1. Large neurons (perikarya 18-40 microm), which have from 2 to 6 thick, long primary dendrites. Their perikarya have a polygonal, triangular and fusiform shape. The large neurons in the centre of GP have radiated dendritic trees, whereas the dendritic field of the cells along the borders of GP has an elongated shape. The dendritic arbour is not homogeneous. The dendrites may be covered with spindle-shaped dendritic swellings, bead-like processes, not numerous spines or they may be smooth as well. The dendritic branches form thin, beaded dendritic processes, that arise from any part of the dendritic tree, as well as "complex terminal endings" which have various types of appendages on their terminal portions. An axon emerges from a thick conical elongation either from the cell body or one of the dendritic trunks. These neurons are the most numerous in the investigated material. 2. Small nerve cells have been infrequent in our material. Their cell bodies are rounded or polygonal. From the perikarya there arise 2-4 thin dendritic trunks, which may have irregular swellings and few spines. The dendrites spread out in all directions, making the dendritic field round or oval in shape. Generally most axons of the small cells have not been impregnated. However, a few of them have a thin axon with a conical elongation, which emerges from the cell body and bifurcates into beaded processes.