MORPHOLOGY OF LATERAL CERVICAL NUCLEUS IN HEDGEHOG

The lateral cervical nucleus of the hedgehog has been studied using acetylcholinesterase and thionin stains. The nucleus was situated in the dorsolateral funiculus of the spinal cord, ventral to the ventral edge of the dorsal horn. It was present in a continuous column throughout the entire length of the spinal cord. The number of cells in the nucleus did not vary significantly from one segmental level to another. The cell processes passed mainly in a medio-lateral direction to the base of the dorsal horn, but a few were oriented cranio-caudally. Acetylcholinesterase activity was located intracellularly. Many gradations of enzyme activity were seen, but in general it was thought that the cells of the nucleus were probably cholinergic. © 1969.