The ventral lateral thalamic nucleus in the dog: cytoarchitecture, acetylthiocholinesterase histochemistry, and cerebellar afferents.

The canine ventral lateral nucleus was defined on the basis of Nissl cytoarchitecture, acetylthiocholinesterase (AChE) chemoarchitecture, and the distribution of cerebellar afferents. It consists of at least two subdivisions: a dorsal and rostral division (VLd) that stains intensely for AChE and contains densely packed cells, and a larger principal division (VL), located ventrocaudally, that stains moderately for AChE and contains a mixture of cells with moderate packing density. Results from autoradiographic, silver degeneration, and AChE material indicate that both divisions receive input from the deep cerebellar nuclei.