The differential distribution of synaptic terminal on marginal and central cells in the cat medial superior olivary nucleus.

Electron microscopic analysis of the perikaryal surfaces of central and marginal cells in the cat medial superior olivary nucleus has revealed three differences in their relationships with synaptic terminals. Marginal cells have a smaller percentage of their surface covered by synaptic terminals; synaptic endings on marginal cells tend to be smaller in size; and a higher proportion of synaptic terminals on marginal cells contain small vesicles. These differences suggest that central and marginal cells differ in the information which they receive, as well as in the cells to which they pass their information.