Light and electron microscopical studies of the normal nuclei ventralis lateralis and ventralis anterior thalami in the cat

SummaryA light and electron microscopical investigation of the nucleus ventralis lateralis (VL) and nucleus ventralis anterior (VA) of the cat's thalamus was made. Light microscopical examination of Golgi impregnated material revealed the existence of two types of cells based on differences in their dendritic arborization and branching of the axon. One of the cells is considered to be the thalamocortical relay cell, whereas the other is tentatively considered to be a Golgi type II neuron. Electron microscopical investigations of the two nuclei revealed the existence of a high number of profiles containing pleomorphic vesicles, and which have been identified as dendrites. Based on correlation with the Golgi material as well as on cytological features of the parent cell bodies, the dendrites containing vesicles are believed to belong to Golgi type II neurons. In addition to the vesicle-filled dendritic profiles, five different types of boutons have been identified. Two of these boutons, type LR and type SR, contain ovoid vesicles and establish asymmetrical synaptic contacts with dendrites of both types of neurons. Type F1, F2 and F3 boutons contain pleomorphic vesicles, but can be distinguished from dendritic profiles containing pleomorphic vesicles. Type F2 and F3 boutons establish symmetrical contacts with dendrites of both thalamocortical relay cells and Golgi type II neurons. Type F1 boutons establish symmetrical synaptic contact with the proximal dendrites or soma of the thalamocortical relay neurons only.Dendrites of both thalamocortical relay cells and Golgi type II neurons, as well as type LR, SR, F2 and F3 boutons, are engaged in glomeruli. Dendro-dendritic synapses between Golgi type II dendrites and relay cell dendrites are frequently seen, whereas no evidence of axo-axonic synapses have been found.Differences and similarities in the ultrastructural organization of VL and VA are described in some detail.

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