The commissural nucleus of the inferior colliculus in the rabbit. A morphological study

The present study describes the essential neuron and axon typology in the nucleus commissuralis of the rabbit inferior colliculus. Cytoarchitectonically, the nucleus is divided in five cellular zones: 1) subpial; 2) plexiform dendritic, 3) central; 4) ventral and 5) periaqueductal zone this latter surrounding the commissural neuropil. Each zone possess particular neuronal types which were described according to its dendritic pattern. In addition, three axonal systems each oriented in a different plane of the commissure of the inferior colliculus were described. Each system possess particular axonal arborizations. Of particular interest is the arrangement of vertical fibres and dendrites in the central zone where they form dendrite and axonal bundles.