A relative volumetric analysis of the lateral geniculate nucleus after enucleation

The relative volumes occupied by nerve cell somata, axons, myelin, the remaining neuropil, glial cell nuclei, blood vessels and degenerating terminals have been determined in the foveal and parafoveal portions of laminae 5 and 6 of the monkey (Macaca fascicularis) lateral geniculate nucleus, in control animals and at varying times after unilateral enucleation. The proportions occupied by these tissue components are very similar within the same lamina of all control animals, but differ significantly between lamina 5 and 6. After enucleation there are alterations, not only in the denervated lamina 6, but also in lamina 5.