Development of the human fetal auditory cortex: growth of afferent fibres
Krmpotić-Nemanić, J.; Kostović, I.; Kelović, Z.; Nemanić, D.; Mrzljak, L.
Acta Anatomica 116(1): 69-73
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5180 PMID: 6858605 Document Number: 200343
The sequential development and growth of the subcortico-cortical fibers were studied by means of acetylcholinesterase (AChE; acetylcholine acetylhydrolase; EC 3.1.1.7) histochemistry on the serial sections obtained from brains of human fetuses ranging from 10-28 wk of gestation. Thalamic and basal telencephalic fibers approaching the fetal auditory cortex have very strong AChE reactivity during a prolonged period of growth. In the youngest fetuses (10.5 wk), a prominent fiber system was seen emerging from the ventroposterior thalamic territory while the auditory neopallium was free of AChE staining. In older fetuses (16-18 wk), AChE-positive fibers originating in the ventroposterior thalamus and basal telencephalon penetrate the subplate layer of the auditory cortex. On the basis of AChE reactivity of the subplate layer the auditory cortex can be delineated from the surrounding neocortical areas. In the oldest fetuses (22-28 wk) AChE-positive fibers of thalamic origin penetrate the developing cortical plate of the auditory cortex.