Relation of the parabigeminal nucleus to the superior colliculus and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in the hooded rat.

The retino-recipient layers of the superior colliculus project predominantly to the dorsal and ventral divisions of the ipsilateral parabigeminal nucleus, while receiving an input chiefly from the medial division of the contralateral nucleus. A variety of retrograde tracing techniques was used to confirm that there is a projection from the medial division of the parabigeminal nucleus to the contralateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in normal adult hooded rats. Some parabigeminal cells branch to supply both dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and retino-recipient layers of the superior colliculus.