Thalamically projecting cells of the lateral cervical nucleus in monkey

The number, location, and morphology of thalamically projecting lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) cells were determined in monkey using retrograde transport of wheatgerm agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase. These data were compared to the total population of LCN neurons as determined by Nissl stain. In 4 Macaca fascicularis and one Saimiri sciureus the average size of the thalamic projection from LCN was found to be 506 +/- 94 cells contralateral to the injections. Thalamically projecting LCN neurons were located between the lower medulla and the third cervical segment; approximately 90% of these cells were in the first two cervical segments. Morphologic analysis of thalamically projecting LCN cells showed that they were smaller in size, and more oblong in shape in caudal regions of the nucleus. In 3 macaques, the average total number of LCN cells was determined to be 1617 +/- 908 on one side, in Nissl material. In these Nissl-stained preparations LCN neurons were found as far caudal as the fourth cervical segment; 68% were located in the first two cervical segments. Hence, thalamically projecting LCN neurons in the monkey are located in the rostral portion of the nucleus and comprise about one-third of the total population. Comparison of these data with reports in the literature imply that, unlike the cat, the major projection from LCN in monkeys is to the mesencephalon rather than to the thalamus.