Scanning electron microscopy of the lateral ventricle of the pigeon brain.

Adult pigeons of both sexes were used for this study. Depending upon the distribution of various surface profiles, for example cilia, microvilli and blebs, ependymal areas with differing surface patterns were distinguished in the lateral ventricle. The topographical locations of these areas with respect to the underlying forebrain nuclei were determined in accord with the atlas of Karten and Hodos (1967). The medial surface (A) of the ventricle was much more densely ciliated than the lateral surface (B). There did not appear to be any correlation between a given surface pattern and a specific type of underlying nervous tissue. Comparison of the cell patterns seen in the pigeon brain with those seen in the analogous areas of the rat brain showed that it is not feasible to extrapolate from one zoological group to another. With the exception of the Kolmer cells populating the choroid plexus, there were remarkably few supraependymal cells in the pigeon lateral ventricle. Supraependymal nerve fibers were also extremely rare. Particular attention was given to the ependyma associated with the nucleus stria terminalis, to that of the lateral septal organ and to the choroid plexus. The possible classification of these areas into the group of the circumventricular organs is considered.