[Topography and cytoarchitecture of the raphe nuclei in the rat]

Within the raphe complex of adult rat, ribonucleoproteids have been demonstrated by means of the Gallocyanin-Chromalaun-reaction according to EINARSON. The following subnuclei were characterized in a topographical and cytological view: nucleus raphe dorsalis, nucleus centralis superior, nucleus raphe pontis, nucleus raphe magnus, nucleus raphe obscurus, nucleus raphe pallidus. In all raphe nuclei 3 neuron types could be differentiated which differ both with respect to size and shape of their soma and nuclear morphology and intensity and distribution of the cellular ribonucleoproteids: 1. Large polygonal neurons, 2. medium-sized fusiform neurons, 3. small pyriform neurons. The results may serve as a basis for performing further investigations of these brain regions, employing morphological and pharmacological methods.