THE NUCLEI OF THE POSTERIOR FUNICULI IN MACACUS RHESUS

Abstract

Because of the uncertainty still reigning as to the number of cell groups to be found in the nuclei of the posterior funiculi, we thought it advisable to undertake a study of the normal cellular arrangement of these nuclei in Macacus rhesus, and then to establish experimentally their anatomic connections. We have particularly been concerned with the morphology and connections of the so-called external or lateral cuneate nucleus which has received different names from various investigators, namely, external portion of the restiform nucleus (Clarke¹), Monakow's nucleus (Winkler,²Kappers³and others), nucleus carporis restiformis (Gudden. Wernicke and Ziehen), Blumenau's nucleus (Geist⁴and Zeehandelaar⁵), accessory cuneate nucleus (Ranson⁶) and pars magnocellularis funiculi posterioris (Gagel and Bodechtel⁷). Study of serial sections of the normal brain of a monkey (Macacus rhesus) has resulted in our distinguishing in the nuclei of the posterior funiculi three large groups of