Ultrastructure of neuronal cell bodies in the lateral cortex of Lacerta galloti.

According to ultrastructure, size, and location within the lateral region of the cerebral cortex of Lacerta galloti, four basic types of neuronal somata are described: a) large neuronal somata of the granular stratum, b) neuronal somata having large nuclear invaginations, c) medium size somata of the granular layer with abundant lipofuscine granules, and d) somata with chromatin clumps usually associated with others forming groups of "nests" or neuronal somata very frequent in the ventral subregion (L2). Large neuronal somata of the granular layer can be correlated with the large spiny neurons of the lateral cortex demonstrated by Golgi impregnations in this species (Regidor 1977). Somata with nuclear invaginations can be correlated with the outer star-shaped neurons, which appear to be distributed throughout the outer plexiform cortical areas (Regidor 1977). Considering the nuclear chromatin morphology, two great subpopulations of neuronal somata can be considered: with chromatin in clumps and with spongious chromatin. The later is preferentially distributed on the ventral subregion (L2) of the lateral cortex, next to the striatum domains and close related to the dorso-ventricular ridge and to the activity of the ependymarian lateral ventricular sulcus.