Experimental studies on the axons intrinsic to the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb

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Abstract
Lesions have been made in the superficial layers of the dorsal surface of the rat olfactory bulb; the resulting axonal degeneration has been studied with light and electron microscopy, in order to determine the mode and extent of interconnexion of the intrinsic interneurons of the glomerular layer. Although the lesions necessarily involve extrinsic pathways, the axonal distribution of each of the intrinsic neurons may be deduced from this evidence and a knowledge of normal and experimental material. Tufted cell collaterals extend for 6-12 glomeruli, periglomerular cell axons for 4-5 glomeruli and superficial short-axon cell axons for 2-3 glomeruli; these figures correspond well with observations of Golgi-impregnated material. The experimental approach to the study of intrinsic connexions and its applicability to other sites is considered, and the results are discussed from the point of view of neural coding and odour specificity.