Possible visual pathways to the cat vestibular nuclei involving the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi

Non-cerebellar afferents from visual relays to the vestibular nuclei (VN) of the cat have been re-evaluated with the use of the horseradish peroxidase technique. From our data it can be concluded that: (1) A monosynaptic projection from the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis to the VN can be excluded. (2) Monosynaptic projections from the superior colliculus and some of the pretectal nuclei (nucleus of the optic tract, olivary pretectal nucleus) to the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi may constitute polysynaptic visual afferents to the VN, which would account for the residual visual sensitivity of the VN neurons after cerebellar or inferior olivary lesions.