The cortical plate and molecular layer of the late rat fetus

Summary In the cortical plate of the late prenatal rat fetus the neuroblasts can be considered to be of three types: mature neuroblasts which are prominent in the lower levels of the cortical plate and have some of the cytoplasmic and nuclear features of neurons, immature neuroblasts that have recently completed their migrations into the cortical plate, and migrating neuroblasts that are still in the process of moving to their definitive positions. Both of these latter types have darker cytoplasm than the mature neuroblasts. All of the neuroblasts have an apical process that extends directly towards the pial surface of the cortical plate and a basal process that is directed towards the intermediate zone of the developing hemisphere. In Golgi preparations some of these basal processes, particularly those of neuroblasts situated in the lower levels of the cortical plate, seem to have formed axons that pass through the intermediate zone to enter the developing white matter, in which they turn at right angles away from, and rarely toward, the midline. Other elements traversing the cortical plate are the ascending processes of spongioblasts that branch in the molecular layer and form expansions at the surface of the hemisphere. In the molecular layer the spongioblast terminal branches intertwine with the apical tufts of the ascending neuroblast processes and with thin processes that have the features of axons, to form a loose neuropil. In the cortical plate the spongioblast processes are usually closely and preferentially surrounded by the dark migrating neuroblasts and by the immature neuroblasts. Both of these latter may partially encompass spongioblast processes. Hence it is concluded that the spongioblast processes act as guides along which the migrating neuroblasts ascend through the cortical plate.Supported by United States Public Health Service Research Grant NB 07016, from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.