Summary
The topography and the cyto-and fiber architecture of the vestibular nuclear complex in the domestic hen are described as seen in transverse and horizontal thionine and myelin impregnated sections. The subdivision of the nuclear complex arrived at from these studies is discussed in the light of some experimental studies of the fiber connections of the vestibular nuclei in birds and compared with the well known organization of the vestibular nuclei in mammals.
Six main vestibular nuclei are identified, the superior nucleus, the nucleus Deiters ventralis, the nucleus Deiters dorsalis, the tangential nucleus, the medial nucleus and the descending nucleus. In addition two cell groups (the cell group A and B) lying in close relation to the other nuclei are described and considered as parts of the vestibular complex. The map of the vestibular complex arrived at is largely in agreement with the maps presented by most earlier authors on other species. Furthermore, it appears that the organization of the vestibular complex in birds is more similar to the organization of the complex in mammals than hitherto recognized.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bartels, M.: Über die Gegend des Deiters-und Bechterewskernes bei Vögeln. Z. Anat. Ent-wickl.-Gesch. 77, 726–784 (1925)
Brandis, F.: Untersuchungen über das Gehirn der Vögel. II Theil: Ursprung der Nerven der Medulla oblongata 43, 96–116 (1894)
Brodal, A.: Vestibulocerebellar input in the cat: Anatomy. In: Basic aspects of central vestibular mechanisms. (A. Brodal and O. Pompeiano, eds.). Progress in Brain Research 37, 315–327. Amsterdam: Elsevier Publishing Company 1972
Brodal, A., Pompeiano, O.: The vestibular nuclei in the cat. J. Anat. (Lond.) 91, 438–454
Brodal, A., Pompeiano, O.: The origin of ascending fibers of the medial longitudinal fasciculus from the vestibular nuclei. Acta morph. neerl.-scand. 1, 306–328 (1958)
Carpenter, M. B.: Experimental anatomical-physiological studies of the vestibular nerve and cerebellar connections. In: Neural mechanisms of the auditory and vestibular systems (G. L. Rasmussen and W. Windle, eds.), p. 297–323. Springfield, Ill.: Thomas 1960
Craigie, E. H.: Observations of the brain of the humming bird. J. comp. Neurol. 45, 377–481 (1928)
Craigie, E. H.: Studies of the brain of the kiwi (apteryx australis). J. comp. Neurol. 49, 223–357 (1930)
Gacek, R.: The course and central termination of first order neurons supplying vestibular end organs in the cat. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.) Suppl. 254, 1–66 (1969)
Hinojosa, R., Robertson, J. D.: Ultrastructure of the spoon type synaptic endings in the nucleus vestibularis tangentialis of the chick. J. Cell Biol. 34, 421–430 (1967)
Holmes, G.: On the comparative anatomy of the nervus acusticus. Trans. roy. Irish Acad. 32, 101–144 (1903)
Karten, H. J., Hodos, W.: A stereotaxic atlas of the brain of the pigeon (Columba livia). Baltimore, Maryland: The John Hopkins Press 1967
Mugnaini, E., Walberg, F., Brodal, A.: Mode of termination of primary vestibular fibres in the lateral vestibular nucleus. An experimental electron microscopical study in the cat. Exp. Brain Res. 4, 187–211 (1967)
Nyberg-Hansen, R., Mascitti, T.: Sites and mode of termination of the vestibulospinal tract in the cat. An experimental study with silver impregnation methods. J. comp. Neurol. 122, 355–367 (1964)
Pompeiano, O., Brodal, A.: The origin of vestibulospinal fibres in the cat. An experimental-anatomical study with comments on the descending medial longitudinal fasculus. Arch. ital. Biol. 95, 166–195 (1957)
Ramón y Cajal: Sur un noyau special du nerf vestibulaire des poissons et des oiseaux. Trab. Lab. biol. Mardrid 6, 1–20 (1908a)
Ramón y Cajal: Los ganglios centrales del cerebelo de las aves. Trab. Lab. biol. Madrid 6, 176–194 (1908b)
Ramón y Cajal: Les ganglions terminaux du nerf acoustique des. oiseaux. Trab. Lab. biol. Madrid 6, 195–224 (1908c)
Renggli, F.: Comparative anatomical studies of the cerebellar and vestibular nuclei in birds. Rev. Suisse. Zool. 74, 701–778 (1967)
Sadjadpour, K., Brodal, A.: The vestibular nuclei in man. A morphological study in the light of experimental findings in the cat. J. Hirnforsch. 10, 299–323 (1968)
Sanders, E. B.: A consideration of certain bulbar, midbrain and cerebellar centers and fiber tracts in birds. J. comp. Neurol. 49, 155–222 (1929)
Sinn, R.: Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Medulla Oblongata der Vögel. Mschr. Psychiat. Neurol. 33, 1–39 (1913)
Stingelin, W.: Qualitative und quantitative Untersuchungen an Kerngebieten der Medulla oblongata bei Vögeln. Bibl. Anat. 6, New York: S. Karger, 1965
Walberg, F.: Cerebellovestibular relation: Anatomy. In: Basic aspects of central vestibular mechanisms (A. Brodal and O. Pompeiano, eds.), Progr. Brain Res. 37, 361–376 (1972)
Walberg, F., Bowsher, D., Brodal, A.: The termination of primary vestibular fibers in the vestibular nuclei in the cat. An experimental study with silver impregnation methods. J. comp. Neurol. 110, 391–419 (1958)
Wallenberg, A.: Über centrale Endstätten des Nervus octavus der Taube. Anat. Anz. 17, 102–108 (1900)
Woelcke, M.: Eine neue Methode der Markscheidenfärbung. J. Psychol. Neurol. (Lpz.) 51, 199–202 (1942)
Wold, J. E.: The distribution of primary afferents to the vestibular nuclei in the domestic hen (Gallus domesticus), Brain Res. 95, 531–543 (1975)
Wold, J. E., Hall, J. G.: The distribution of primary afferents to the cochlear nuclei in the domestic hen (Gallus domesticus). Anat. Embryol. 147, 75–89 (1975)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wold, J.E. The vestibular nuclei in the domestic hen (Gallus domesticus). Anat Embryol 149, 29–46 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315083
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315083