Neurons in the gracile nucleus of the camel brain stem were studied by Golgi method. Neurons were classified based on soma size and shape, density of dendritic tree, morphology and distribution of appendages. Six types of neurons were identified. Type I neurons had very large somata with appendages on their somata and distal dendrites. Type II neurons had large somata and almost smooth dendrites. Type III neurons displayed medium size somata with dendritic appendages of different forms. Type IV neurons were small to medium spheroidal or triangular neurons. Somata and dendrites of these neurons had appendages of different forms. Type V medium-size neurons had bipolar, round or fusiform somata and poorly branching dendritic tree. Some spines and appendages were seen on somata and dendrites of these neurons. Neurons of type VI were medium-size unipolar, round or fusiform with spines on their dendrites. The radiating branching pattern was more common than the tufted for all types of neurons. Wide overlap between widths of dendrites of different orders was found for all neuronal types. Hopefully, this study will improve our understanding of the role of the gracile nucleus as major center for sensory information processing and contribute to our understanding of comparative neuroanatomy and neurophysiology

Neurons in the cuneate nucleus of the camel brain stem were studied by Golgi method. Six types of neurons were identified based on soma size and shape, density of dendritic trees, morphology and distribution of spines, and appendages. Type I neurons had large spherical somata with somatic appendages. Dendritic appendages were predominant on proximal dendrites with terminal flower-like appendages. Type II neurons had medium to large soma. Appendages and spines were found for the soma as well as along dendrites of different orders. Axons with local branches were seen for these neurons. Type III neurons were small to medium spheroidal or triangulated with large number of spines and appendages on all parts of neurons including soma, dendrites, and initial axonal segments. Axons of these neurons branch profusely and formed rich local axonal arborizations. Type IV medium-size neurons have bipolar, round, or fusiform soma with somatic spines. Their dendrites were sparsely branching with spines and terminal side branches. Type V neurons were spheroid or triangular with small soma with somatic appendages. Their dendrites were sparsely branching and terminate as thin spiny side branches. Type VI neurons were small-size unipolar, round, or fusiform with some dendritic spines and protrusions. These findings shed some light on the structure of the cuneate nucleus of one of the largest animals (the camel). Anat Rec, 295:2191Rec, 295: -2204Rec, 295: , 2012. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.