The Origin, Course and Termination of Vestibulospinal Fibers in the Toad

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Abstract
The course and distribution of the vestibulospinal tract in the toad have been studied in silver-impregnated sections following electrolytic lesions of the terminal nuclei of the VIIIth cranial nerve. The tract originates from the ventral, vestibular nucleus of the VIIIth nerve and descends bilaterally in the ventral funiculi throughout the whole length of the spinal cord. Contralateral fibers are less numerous than ipsilateral and cross the midline in the caudal medulla oblongata. Some fibers cross in the spinal gray matter ventral to the central canal.The vestibulospinal fibers terminate in the ventromedial region of the ventral horn which harbors the medial column of motoneurons, innervating the axial musculature. Silver-impregnated sections suggest that some fibers might terminate on the cell bodies and proximal dendrites of these motoneurons. Preliminary electron microscopical observations, however, confirm only the presence of degenerating boutons in the neuropile of this region.Short comment has been devoted to other descending fiber systems which were observed following hemisection of the high cervical cord.

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