[Fibers count in the anterior portion of the cord of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylis].

The number of fibers was analysed on cross section electron micrographs (x 1.000 and 4.500). About 300 axons of motoneurons leave the Ist thoracic ganglion. Approximately 180.000 sensory fibers enter the ganglion by lateral nerves. More than 90% of these fibers terminate on the ganglion neurons. The ganglion has descending connections with more caudally lying portions of the cord. The suboesophageal ganglion is closely associated with the 1st thoracic and other ganglia, and presumably contains a large vegetative center. The brain receives considerable information from the body via primary as well as secondary fibers, and controls the activity of the nerve cord through the system of various descending connective fibers.