| Abstract: | The basilar pontine nuclei were described for the opossum in Nissl stained, serial, transverse sections, and named (dorsal, ventral, medial, and lateral) with reference to the pontine pyramidal bundle. The details of neuron morphology were determined by employing Nissl stains and the Golgi technique. The neuron cell bodies of the basilar pontine gray were round, oval or spindle in shape and displayed little angularity. Measurements of neuronal perikaryia indicated a size range of from 8 to 20 μ. The Nissl substance appeared finely granular with some cells displaying large discrete granules. Dendrites observed in Golgi preparations either extended some distance from the perikaryon or ended adjacent to the cell body in terminal arborizations. The phylogenetic significance of the nucleur groups and the primitive condition of a limited pre-trigeminal basilar pons is discussed. |
