Connections of the rabbit abducens nucleus.

Wheat germ agglutinated horseradish peroxidase was injected into the rabbit abducens nucleus under physiological control. Major projections from the reticular formation and the ipsilateral oculomotor, bilateral vestibular and bilateral perihypoglossal nuclei were demonstrated. A reciprocal connection with the ipsilateral perihypoglossal nuclei was also shown. We suggest that the perihypoglossal nuclei and the reticular formation are important premotor centers involved with plasticity of eye movements.