Ultrastructural study of the nucleus Cuneiformis in the cat

The Cuneiformis nucleus (Cu.n.) is a reticular nucleus of the mesencephalic tegmentum which is involved in several functions and particularly in locomotor activities. While the physiological properties and the nervous connections of the nucleus have been studied, there is no data about its ultrastructure. Therefore, we investigated this region in cat at the electron microscope and with morphoquantitative methods to clarify its ultrastructural organization and particularly the characteristics of its synaptic complex. The neurons are small and medium in size, with a high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio and a modest rough endoplasmic reticulum organization. The neuropil is very extensive. Myelinated axons are very numerous. Dendritic profiles whose plasmalemma is almost completely covered by synaptic boutons are observed frequently. There are few somatic synapses; 81% have symmetrical junctions and 23% have round vesicles only. There are numerous synapses in the neuropil, 40% having asymmetrical junctions and 60% containing round vesicles only. The greater functional complexity indicated by the morphological data and the greater extension of the neuropil synapses with respect to that of the somatic ones, suggest that the neuropil is the main site of modulation and integration of the inputs to the nucleus. A highly significant statistical difference between the sizes of the somatic vesicles and those of the neuropil was found. This may point to the presence of distinct populations of vesicles, which may be correlated with the variety of substances (neurotransmitters, neuropeptides etc ...) found in the nucleus. The remarkable ultrastructural similarity between the Cu.n. and the periaqueductal gray matter is discussed.