[Topographic and cytoarchitectonics analysis of the vestibular complex in rats]

The limits of the vestibular nuclei and accessory groups were analyzed in 7 rats. This information was taken using camera lucida drawings of the vestibular nuclei and their neurons in serial sections. The study of the morphometric parameters of the neurons (area and maximum diameter) were accomplished by means of a program for image analysis. The cells of the superior nucleus had an area and maximum diameter of 302.05 microns2 and 24.05 microns, those of the medial nucleus 222.98 microns2 and 20.49 microns, those of the lateral nucleus 609.94 microns2 and 34.21 microns, and the descending nucleus cells 327.55 microns2 and 25.24 microns. The cellular parameters of the associated groups were also studied and the distribution of them in several intervals was established.