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The spinal trigeminal nucleus - considerations on the structure of the nucleus caudalis
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Abstract
The studies were made using the Bielschowsky silver staining technique (on blocks) applied to drawn pieces of brainstems from human cadavers. On the sections the outer laminae of the nucleus are distinguishable, while the inner part hardly exposes any laminar configuration on transverse cuts. A marginal plexus with small polygonal or rounded small cells appears configured in 3 parts, namely dorsal, intermediate and ventral. Outer to the marginal plexus a clear band marks it off from the interstitial plexus, which appears more delicate. Within the marginal plexus is substantia gelatinosa with rare randomly distributed small or medium-sized cells. The inner magnocellular layers consist of clusters of small cells specifically allocated to fibre bundles, isolated small cells and large cells, pear-shaped or fusiform, appearing either bipolar or multipolar. The marginal and interstitial plexuses can represent the framework for modulation and vertical signal transmission within the spinal trigeminal nucleus, while the magnocellular layers seem to be mainly responsible for contralateral projection.
It seems that the outer laminae of the spinal trigeminal nucleus may represent the receiver and the inner laminae the transmitter of the signal on the trigeminal pathway at brainstem level.
Abstract
The studies were made using the Bielschowsky silver staining technique (on blocks) applied to drawn pieces of brainstems from human cadavers. On the sections the outer laminae of the nucleus are distinguishable, while the inner part hardly exposes any laminar configuration on transverse cuts. A marginal plexus with small polygonal or rounded small cells appears configured in 3 parts, namely dorsal, intermediate and ventral. Outer to the marginal plexus a clear band marks it off from the interstitial plexus, which appears more delicate. Within the marginal plexus is substantia gelatinosa with rare randomly distributed small or medium-sized cells. The inner magnocellular layers consist of clusters of small cells specifically allocated to fibre bundles, isolated small cells and large cells, pear-shaped or fusiform, appearing either bipolar or multipolar. The marginal and interstitial plexuses can represent the framework for modulation and vertical signal transmission within the spinal trigeminal nucleus, while the magnocellular layers seem to be mainly responsible for contralateral projection.
It seems that the outer laminae of the spinal trigeminal nucleus may represent the receiver and the inner laminae the transmitter of the signal on the trigeminal pathway at brainstem level.
Keywords
brain stem; spinal trigeminal nucleus; human morphology
Title
The spinal trigeminal nucleus - considerations on the structure of the nucleus caudalis
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
325-328
Published online
2004-06-04
Page views
501
Article views/downloads
3756
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2004;63(3):325-328.
Keywords
brain stem
spinal trigeminal nucleus
human morphology
Authors
MC Rusu