The neuronal structure of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus in the guinea pig: Golgi and Kluver-Barrera studies

On the basis of Golgi and Klüver-Barrera preparations we have distinguished four types of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the guinea pig: 1. Fusiform neurons with 1–3 thick dendritic trunks arising from each pole of the soma. The dendritic trunks branch twice dichotomically. The branches sometimes show varicosities. 2. Pear-shaped cells. From one pole of the perikaryon one or two thick dendritic trunks arise, from the opposite pole an axon emerges. The ends of the dendritic branches divide in a tuft-like manner (a characteristic feature of the interneurons). 3. Rounded neurons with 4–7 dendritic trunks without cones. The dendritic trunks branch once or twice dichotomically and give finally 2–3 thin ramifications which show a varicose course and knob-like protuberances. 4. Triangular cells with 3 thick, conically arising dendritic trunks. They bifurcate dichotomically. The surface of the dendritic trunks and of their branches is smooth.