[Structure and function of the central nervous system of domestic animals]

The structure of the central nervous system is described in domestic animals. Differences in contrast to the human CNS and the functions of the nervous centers are determined. The neurons which are situated on the surface of the telencephalon and cerebellum are arranged in a laminated way. In other areas the neurons are clustered and form nervous nuclei. The latter are built up normally by large, middle large and small neurons. Lightmicroscopically they show a large nucleus poor in chromatin and a prominent nucleolus. At the ultrastructural level the pericaryon is rich in Nissl-bodies, formed by a prominent tubulus-system of granular endoplasmic reticulum. The surface of the cell bodies is covered by three different types of synaptic junctions. In the neuropil there are five different types of synapses. The ultrastructure of these synapses, its functions and transmitter substances, which are located inside the synaptic vesicles, are described.