[Organization of the afferent subcortical inputs of the visual area of the cat cerebral cortex]

By means of the horseradish peroxidase retrograde transport method some complexes of the thalamic subcortical structures (external geniculate body, associative nucleus and non-specific nuclei). giving origin to the afferent pathways towards the sensory cortical area (visual area, field 17) have been described in the cat. It has been demonstrated that the external geniculate body, a part of the posterolateral thalamic nucleus, paracentral and centro-lateral nuclei make the complex of the visual cortical area. The investigation performed supports the fundamental principle that for each projection zone of the cerebral cortex afferentation from several thalamic nuclear groups is a specific feature.