THE RED NUCLEUS AND ADJACENT CELL GROUPS

Abstract

Experimental work on the brain should be based on an accurate knowledge of form and structure. This should go beyond a mere familiarity with surface form and typical sections and should include a tridimensional conception of the size, shape, form and relations of the nuclei and fiber tracts. Physiologic studies which make use of transection of the brain stem require the recognition of the internal structures involved in the section in order that possible functions of each structure can be evaluated. In making a transection, external structures must be used as guides; hence we have endeavored to make a reconstruction of the region of the red nucleus which would indicate its relationships to external landmarks. The cat and rabbit have been chosen because they are the most popular animals for the study of phenomena involved in decerebration experiments. Monakow¹ recognized in the red nucleus of the rabbit a large