Identification of eight types of synapses in the pallidum externum and internum in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

The electron microscopic study of the neuronal structures of the pallidum externum (Pa.e) and internum (Pa.i) in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) has revealed in both segments a frequent large type of nerve cell and a rare small one, probably an interneuron. With respect to the small cells, only one axosomatic synapse inserts on the slender rim of cytoplasm; the clear nucleus is always invaginated and contains a small nucleolus. Eight types of synapses can be differentiated in Pa.e and Pa.i. The axodendritic type I P with pleomorphic vesicles and an inconspicuous symmetric contact to a central dendrite, make up 65% of all synapses in Pa.e and 79% in Pa.i. These synapses are commonly arranged in a rosette pattern around the dendrite. Two subtypes of the type I P are found in both segments--the one with invaginated boutons (subtype I Piv) and the other (subtype I Pol) oligovesicular. The type III SR synapses are characterized by small round or slightly oval vesicles and a strongly asymmetric contact (12% in Pa.e and 8.1% in Pa.i). The predominantly axosomatic type II EF synapses are characterized by elongated vesicles as well as by encapsulation in thin astrocytic processes (5% in Pa.e, 8.5% in Pa.i). The boutons of type IV Sph characterized by large uniformly spherical vesicles undergo symmetric synaptic contacts (in Pa.e 6% and in Pa.i 0.5%). The type V Osl stiletto-shaped bouton with ovoid vesicles undergoes a symmetric contact with a dendrite (in Pa.e 5% and in Pa.i 1.1%). Two types of dendrodendritic and dendrosomatic synapses are found: the type VI DE containing sparsely distributed elongated vesicles suspended on neurofilaments, undergoing a symmetric contact, and the type VII DC with clustering mostly round vesicles near the presynaptic component of the asymmetric contact. The rare axodendritic type VIII My arising from a myelinated axon, exhibits small elongated vesicles and symmetric contact. The synaptic types I, III, IV, and VI are similar to the same types in the substantia nigra, whereas types II, V and VII resemble the equivalent types in the motor thalamic VA and ventro-oralis anterior nuclei.