The types of neurons of the somatic oculomotor nucleus in the European bison. Nissl and Golgi studies.

The neuronal structure of the somatic oculomotor nucleus (SON) was studied on the basis of Nissl and Golgi preparations, obtained from mesencephalons of 4 European bisons. We distinguished four types of neurons in the investigated nucleus: 1. The large multipolar nerve cells with 5-8 thick dendritic trunks and a thin axon which emerges directly from the soma. These are the most numerous neurons in the SON. 2. The small multipolar neurons. These cells have 4-6 thick dendritic trunks. An axon arises mostly from initial segment of one of the dendrites. This type represents about 8% neurons of SON. 3. The triangular neurons. From perikaryon 3 thick dendritic trunks emerge. A thin axon arises directly from the cell body. These cells make about 10% neurons of SON. 4. The pear-shaped cells which have 1 or 2 dendritic trunks concentrate at one pole of the neurons. In the SON there are about 2% pear-shaped cells. Their features correspond to the features attributed by many authors to the interneurons.