The pontine projection to the flocculonodular lobe and the paraflocculus studied by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase in the rabbit.

Abstract

The occurrence and distribution of labeled cells in the pontine nuclei were mapped following injections of small amounts of horseradish peroxidase (0.05-0.5 microliter, 50% suspension) in the flocculus, nodulus and the dorsal and ventral paraflocculus in adult albino rabbits. While no labeled cells were found in the pontine nuclei following injections in the nodulus, some were present following injections in the flocculus and a great number following injections in the paraflocculus. The projections onto the flocculus and paraflocculus are precisely organized. Following injections in the paraflocculus labeled neurons are arranged in four columns (E and G in the paramedian pontine nucleus, F in the peduncular and H in the dorsolateral nucleus). Following injections in the ventral paraflocculus labeled cells are present only in parts of column E and F, while columns G and H and parts of E and F project onto the dorsal paraflocculus. Following injections in the flocculus labeled cells occur in the rostral part of column E only. A comparison between the sites of termination of pontine afferents and the areas giving origin to floccular and parafloccular fibers shows that only few fibers mediating visual impulses end in these pontine areas, while they receive numerous fibers from gyrus cinguli and areas 18 and 19 of the cerebral cortex.