The afferent pathway from the pontine reticular formation to the ipsilateral abducens nucleus in the cat
Kairada, K.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 90(3): 498-502
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 3716945 Document Number: 278406
The pontine reticular formation is called a center of the horizontal eye movements in the brain stem and the existence of the direct reticulo-abducens connections are known by the electrophysiological and anatomical study using an orthograde tracer substances. In this investigation, the afferent pathway from the pontine reticular formation to the abducens nucleus was examined after injection of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the abducens nucleus in the cat. The result showed that HRP reaction cells were found in the ipsilateral pontine reticular formation. This finding is clearly that the axons of the neurons within the pontine reticular formation directly project to the ipsilateral abducens nucleus. Clinically, the pontine reticular formation which called a center of the horizontal eye movements in the brain stem generates the ipsilateral abducens nucleus and makes a synapse with the motor and internuclear neurons in the abducens nucleus. This pathway plays a role in conjugate horizontal movements of the eyes.