Miller M R, Kasahara M
J Comp Neurol. 1979 May 15;185(2):221-35. doi: 10.1002/cne.901850202.
Histological sections of the brains of eight species of turtles representing six different families were studied in order to delineate the cochlear nuclei. In addition, the posterior eighth cranial nerve root and its ganglion were sectioned in 15 specimens of Kinosternon leucostomum, and the distribution of the degenerated nerve fibers and terminals was determined. Two primary and one probably secondary nuclei were demonstrated by the terminal degeneration pattern of the cochlear fibers. A spherical nucleus angularis and an elongated nuclus magnocellularis together form a column of primary cochlear nuclei in the dorsal alar lamina of the medulla. Heavy terminal degeneration is seen associated with these cells following transection of the posterior eighth nerve and ganglion. Nucleus magnocellularis is probably homologous with the nucleus magnocellularis medialis of lizards and crocodiles, and has been described in turtles as nucleus dorsalis magnocellularis by previous authors. A probably secondary cochlear nucleus, nucleus laminaris, lies just ventral to the nucleus magnocellularis. It is associated with the nucleus magnocellularis throughout its length but is shorter. Nucleus laminaris remains free of terminal degeneration after destruction of the posterior eighth nerve and ganglion. The cochlear nuclei of other turtle species were very similar to those of Kinosternon leucostomum.
为了描绘出蜗神经核，研究了代表六个不同科的八种海龟大脑的组织学切片。此外，对15个白吻动胸龟标本的第八对脑神经后根及其神经节进行了切片，并确定了退化神经纤维和终末的分布。蜗神经纤维的终末变性模式显示出两个主要核和一个可能的次要核。球形的角状核和细长的大细胞内核在延髓背侧翼板共同形成一列主要蜗神经核。第八对后神经和神经节横断后，可见这些细胞伴有大量终末变性。大细胞内核可能与蜥蜴和鳄鱼的内侧大细胞核同源，先前的作者在海龟中将其描述为背侧大细胞核。一个可能的次要蜗神经核，层状核，位于大细胞内核的腹侧。它在整个长度上与大细胞内核相连，但较短。第八对后神经和神经节破坏后，层状核没有终末变性。其他海龟物种的蜗神经核与白吻动胸龟的非常相似。
