Terminal Degeneration and Trans-Synaptic Atrophy in the Lateral Geniculate Body of the Monkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was the re-investigation of the termination of optic fibres in the monkey (10), and our attention was directed more especially to the examination of three points. First, the possible somatotopic difference in the termination of crossed and uncrossed optic fibres, both in the laminated central portion of the lateral genieulate body, and in the coalescent peripheral portions; second, whether there is a difference in the synapses of optic fibres which end on large genieulate cells and those which end on small cells; and thirdly, what degree of trans-synaptic cell atrophy could be established when the optic nerve is cut.