Summary
The four deep cerebellar nuclei exhibit a similar pattern of organization. They consist of isodendritic neurons of different sizes. The dendritic fields of the neurons display the characteristics of “noyaux fermés”. The medium sized neurons contain small Nissl bodies anastomosed by threads of the same material giving rise to a tridimensional network; the large majority of the polyribosomes are free and suspended among the cisterns of the Nissl substance. Peculiar inclusions, resembling laminated inclusion bodies, are occasionally present in the perikarya. The origin of such inclusions from the endoplasmic reticulum has been proved, since intermediary steps in the transformation of endoplasmic reticular cisterns into laminated bodies have been disclosed. Rarely, annulate lamellae occur in the perinuclear region. The smaller neurons contain a large nucleus, almost 2/3 of the somatal volume, and in their cytoplasm Nissl bodies are practically absent. The Golgi impregnation and the electron microscopic observations have revealed the existence of large dendritic varicosities, giving rise to long slender filopodia localized in distal segments of some dendrites. The varicosities are filled with mitochondria and some glycogen particles. These features are characteristics of growing tips of dendrites (Sotelo and Palay, 1968). The immediate environment of medium sized neurons consists of axon terminals and astrocytic processes, in a near similar proportion. On the other hand, smaller neurons are in intimate contact with satellite oligodendrocytes, astrocytic processes, myelinated fibers and very few axon terminals. Close appositions, resembling “gap” junctions have been disclosed between perikarya of interfascicular oligodendrocytes.
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Sotelo, C., Angaut, P. The fine structure of the cerebellar central nuclei in the cat I. Neurons and neuroglial cells. Exp Brain Res 16, 410–430 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00233432
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00233432