The Mauthnerian Apparatus in the Ichthyopsida; Its Nature and Function and Correlated Problems of Neurohistogenesis

Abstract

A review in which works on the Mauthnerian cells and fibers from morphological, ecological, physiological, and embryological points of view are coordinated. The apparatus is a particularly differentiated center such as the nucleus motorius tegmenti of the medulla. It has a multiple function representing a system of connections between certain static centers, particularly of the lateral line, and the motor centers of the tail muscle which operate swimming activity. The Mauthner''s neurons have proved useful for the investigation of histogenetic determination and specific differentiation of neurons, as well as for an understanding of the significance of the intrinsic and extrinsic differentiation potentiallity of the neuroblast.