[Cytoarchitectonic characteristics of the human tegmentum mesencephali]

The aim of the investigation has been to verify microscopical anatomy of the midbrain tegmentum (cytoarchitectonics of its reticular formation). A new modification of the silver impregnation technique has been used; it fully reveals multipolar neural cells with their numerous processes. The authors have succeeded in studying clusters of the neural cells between the oculomotor nerve nuclei and around them. This cluster differs from the surrounding neural tissue and from the oculomotor nerve nuclei by the cell arrangement density, by their size and form, as well as by the fact that it resembles the intramural vegetative neural plexus. The multiprocessing form of the cells of the intrategmental plexus and its topographic connection with the oculomotor nerve nuclei complex makes it possible to suggest an integrative function of this plexus in the system of the oculomotor nerve nuclei, ensuring the coordinative activity of the voluntary and involuntary muscles of the eye.