Organization of the ferret lateral cervical nucleus and cervicothalamic tract

Abstract

To elucidate the organization of the ferret spinocervicothalamic pathway (SCTP), we examined the lateral cervical nucleus (LCN) and the termination of the cervicothalamic tract (CTY) in this species. In thionin-stained sections, the ferret LCN appeared as an easily delineated column of cells in the dorsolateral funiculus from about mid-C3 to the rostral end of C1, with most cells located in the C1 and C2 segments. In transverse sections, the LCN was elongated along a dorsolateral to ventromedial axis and in the rostral half of C2 and caudal half of C1 continuous with the neck of the dorsal horn. The number of ferret LCN cells was estimated to 2,500-3,700, with an average of 3,340. Substance P-like immunoreactive fibers located preferentially in the ventromedial part of the LCN, whereas serotonin-like immunoreactive fibers were found throughout the nucleus. Anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate and biotinylated dextran amine demonstrated that the ferret CTT terminates extensively in the peripheral parts of the ventral posterior lateral nucleus. Sparser termination was evident in the ventral posterior inferior nucleus, in the medial nucleus of the posterior complex, and in the medial part of the magnocellular medial geniculate nucleus. Thus, although the LCN is significantly smaller in ferrets than in cats and raccoons, the organization of the LCN and of the cervicothalamic tract is closely similar in the three species. These findings indicate a conserved general organization of the SCTP among carnivores.

Anatomical organization of the lateral cervical nucleus in Artiodactyls

“…Consistently with what had been reported for carnivores, most calf and pig LCN neurons were found to be located in the rostral part of the nucleus. In general, bovine and porcine LCN neurons are morphologically similar to the neurons observed in other species (Giesler et al 1987;Molander et al 1989;Truex et al 1970;Zhang et al 2002). Interestingly, the calf LCN showed a large variability in neuronal morphology, although the prevalent cell types were polygonal, analogously to what was observed in the pig.…”

Brainstem and Thalamic Projections from a Craniovascular Sensory Nervous Centre in the Rostral Cervical Spinal Dorsal Horn of Rats

“…Ascending projections from the LCN has mostly been investigated in cats and other carnivores (e.g. (27, 31, 32)). However, the organization of ascending LCN projections in rats appears to be basically similar to those in carnivores, including abundant termination in the intercollicular area and the deep layers of the superior colliculus in the midbrain, and in the VPL of the thalamus (33).…”

MRI characteristics for “phantom” scratching in canine syringomyelia

“…1 ). The spinocervicothalamic tract is the dominant pathway for nociception in carnivores in comparison to primates where the spinothalamic tract is more important [ 14 , 15 ]. In primates prurioceptive information ascends the spinothalamic tract (contralateral lateral funiculus) to the midbrain periaqueductal grey matter, thalamus and higher centres [ 16 , 17 ].…”