Functional localization in the Onufrowicz nucleus in man

Neuropathological examination of a patient who died 45 days after the rectal amputation revealed axonal reaction of the motor neurons mainly in the dorsomedial portion of the Onufrowicz nucleus. Apparently normal motor neurons were found only in the ventrolateral portion. Also found in the present case was the localized distribution of chromatolytic neurons in the sacral intermediolateral cell column. While the ventral portion of it showed chromatolysis, the lateral portion was well preserved. These findings are in accordance with those obtained from the animal studies which demonstrated the functional localization of the sacral motor neuron pools into the anorectal innervation centers and the vesico-urinary centers.