Part 204

FIG. 513.—SAGITTAL SECTION OF BRAIN OF HORSE.

Section is cut about 1.5 cm. to the right of the median plane. M, Medulla oblongata; P, pons; P.c. (above M), chorioid plexus of fourth ventricle; C.m., central white matter (corpus medullare) of cerebellum and of cerebrum; P.c. (in front of P), cerebral peduncle; H, hippocampus; V, lateral ventricle; T, thalamus; N.c., caudate nucleus; C.i., internal capsule; N.l., lenticular nucleus; B.o., olfactory bulb. ]

The =corpus striatum= is the great basal ganglion of the hemisphere. It is situated in front of the thalamus and the cerebral peduncle, and its anterior rounded end appears on the base of the hemisphere at the trigonum olfactorium. It is composed of two masses of gray matter, the caudate and lenticular nuclei, separated incompletely by tracts of white matter which are known collectively as the internal capsule. The =caudate nucleus= (Nucleus caudatus) is the dorso-medial and larger of the two gray masses; it has been seen in the examination of the floor of the lateral ventricle. The =lenticular nucleus= (Nucleus lentiformis) lies ventro-laterally, over the trigonum olfactorium and the fossa transversa. It is related externally to a layer of white matter termed the =external capsule=, which separates it from a stratum of gray substance known as the =claustrum=. The two nuclei are fused in front, and further back they are connected by strands of gray matter which intersect the internal capsule.

The =amygdaloid nucleus= (Nucleus amygdalæ) (Fig. 506) is an ovoid mass of gray matter situated external to the ventral horn of the lateral ventricle and below the posterior part of the lenticular nucleus. Some fibers of the stria terminalis are connected with it.

The =internal capsule= (Capsula interna) is a broad band of white matter situated between the thalamus and caudate nucleus internally and the lenticular nucleus externally. A sagittal section through the brain shows that it is in great part directly continuous with the basis or ventral part of the cerebral peduncle. It contains most of the so-called =projection fibers= of the hemisphere, which connect the cerebral cortex with nuclei of other and more posterior parts of the brain. When the fibers of the internal capsule are traced forward it is evident that they spread out in all directions to reach the cerebral cortex. This arrangement, in which the fibers of the corpus callosum participate, is termed the =corona radiata=.

The internal capsule also contains fibers which connect the corpus striatum with the thalamus. These are termed the thalamo-striate and strio-thalamic fibers respectively, according to the direction in which they conduct impulses.

The fibers of the stria terminalis connect the amygdaloid nucleus with the septum pellucidum and trigonum olfactorium. It is therefore probably part of the complex connections between the primary and secondary olfactory centers.

THE CRANIAL NERVES

The =cranial= or =cerebral nerves= (Nn. cerebrales) comprise twelve pairs which are designated from before backward numerically and by name. Their number, names, and functional characters are given in the subjoined table:

I. Olfactory Sensory (Small) II. Optic Sensory (Sight) III. Oculomotor Motor IV. Trochlear Motor V. Trigeminal Mixed VI. Abducent Motor VII. Facial Mixed VIII. Auditory Sensory (Hearing and Equilibration) IX. Glosso-pharyngeal Mixed X. Vagus or Pneumogastric Mixed XI. Spinal accessory Motor XII. Hypoglossal Motor

THE FIRST OR OLFACTORY NERVE

The =olfactory nerve= (N. olfactorius) is peculiar in that its fibers are not aggregated to form a trunk, but are connected in small bundles with the olfactory bulb. They are non-medullated, and are the central processes of the olfactory cells which are situated in the olfactory region of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. This region is distinguished by its brown color and comprises most of the lateral mass of the ethmoid, a small adjacent area of the superior turbinal, and the corresponding surface of the septum nasi. The nerve-bundles are inclosed in sheaths derived from the membranes of the brain and pass through the foramina of the cribriform plate to join the convex surface of the olfactory bulb. Some fibers come from the vomero-nasal organ of Jacobson.

THE SECOND OR OPTIC NERVE

The =optic nerve= (N. opticus) is composed of fibers which are the central processes of the ganglion cells of the retina. The fibers converge within the eyeball to the optic papilla, where they are collected into a round trunk, the optic nerve. The nerve thus formed pierces the chorioid and sclera, emerges from the posterior part of the eyeball, and passes backward and inward to the optic foramen. After traversing the latter it decussates with its fellow of the opposite side to form the optic chiasma or commissure. In the orbit the nerve is slightly flexuous and is embedded in the fat behind the eyeball and surrounded by the retractor oculi muscle. Its intraosseous part is an inch or more (ca. 3 cm.) long. The =sheath= of the nerve is formed by prolongations of the membranes of the brain, and includes continuations of the subdural and subarachnoid spaces.

The greater part of the fibers of the optic nerve cross in the chiasma to the tract of the opposite side. In the tract the fibers proceed to (1) the internal geniculate body, (2) the posterior part of the thalamus, and (3) the anterior quadrigeminal body (indirectly). The fibers which go to the internal geniculate body appear to belong to Gudden’s commissure and to be nonvisual in function. The visual fibers, which come from the outer part of the retina of the same side and the inner part of the retina of the opposite side, terminate about cells in the anterior quadrigeminal body and the part of the thalamus which corresponds to the pulvinar and external geniculate body of man. From the cells of the former fibers pass to the nuclei of the motor nerves of the eyeball, and complete the reflex arc. Fibers proceed from the cells of the thalamus to the visual area of the cortex in the occipital part of the hemisphere.

THE THIRD OR OCULOMOTOR NERVE

The =oculomotor nerve= (N. oculomotorius) arises by several radicles from the basal surface of the cerebral peduncle, a little lateral to the interpeduncular furrow. It turns sharply outward and forward, crosses over the cavernous sinus, and continues above the maxillary nerve and in company with the ophthalmic nerve to the foramen lacerum orbitale. It emerges through the foramen with the latter nerve and the abducens and divides into two branches. The =superior branch= is short and divides into twigs which supply the rectus superior, retractor, and levator palpebræ superioris. The =inferior branch= (Figs. 438, 439) is larger and much longer. It supplies the motor fibers to the ciliary ganglion (which lies directly on this branch in the horse) and short branches to the rectus internus and rectus inferior, and continues forward on the latter to end in the inferior oblique muscle.

The deep origin of the fibers of the oculomotor nerve is in the oculomotor nucleus situated in the gray matter of the floor of the cerebral aqueduct in the region of the anterior corpora quadrigemina.

THE FOURTH OR TROCHLEAR NERVE

The =trochlear= or pathetic (N. trochlearis) is the smallest of the cranial nerves. It arises from the anterior cerebellar peduncle just behind the corpora quadrigemina, curves outward and forward, pierces the tentorium cerebelli, and passes forward along the outer border of the maxillary nerve (Figs. 504, 505). It emerges from the cranium through a small foramen immediately above the foramen lacerum orbitale or through the latter and passes forward along the inner wall of the orbit to end in the posterior part of the superior oblique muscle of the eyeball (Fig. 439).

The fibers of the fourth nerve spring from a nucleus in the gray matter of the floor of the cerebral aqueduct behind the oculomotor nucleus. The fibers run backward in the tegmentum, then turn upward and inward and undergo total decussation with those of the opposite nerve in the anterior part of the anterior medullary velum. In addition to this peculiarity it is the only nerve which is connected with the dorsal aspect of the brain.

THE FIFTH, TRIGEMINAL, OR TRIFACIAL NERVE

The =trigeminal nerve= (N. trigeminus) is the largest of the cranial series. It is connected with the lateral part of the pons by a large =sensory root= and a smaller =motor root= (Fig. 499).

The =sensory root= (Portio major) extends forward through a notch on the lower part of the petrosal crest and widens out to join the semilunar ganglion.

The =semilunar= (or Gasserian) =ganglion= (Ganglion semilunare) is a crescent-shaped mass of nerve-fibers and cells which overlies the antero-external part of the foramen lacerum basis cranii, and is partly embedded in the dense fibrous tissue which occupies the foramen except where vessels and nerves pass through. Its long axis, which is about an inch (2.5 cm.) in length, is directed forward and inward and its convex anterior face gives rise to the ophthalmic, the maxillary, and the sensory part of the mandibular division of the nerve. The surface of the ganglion is irregularly striated. It is connected by filaments with the adjacent carotid plexus of the sympathetic, and sends delicate twigs to the dura mater.

The fibers of the sensory root arise from the ganglion as axones of the ganglion cells, and the fibers of the nerves which extend peripherally from the ganglion are dendrites of the cells. The sensory root-fibers enter the tegmentum of the pons and divide into anterior and posterior branches, which terminate about the cells of the sensory nucleus of termination of the trigeminus. This nucleus extends from the pons to the sixth cervical segment of the spinal cord (Dexler). The posterior branches of the fibers are collected into a compact bundle, the spinal tract or root of the trigeminus, which lies lateral to the substantia gelatinosa in the medulla. The central connections of the sensory part of the trigeminus are very extensive. The most important paths are: (1) Axones of cells of the sensory nucleus and the substantia gelatinosa pass chiefly as arcuate fibers across the raphé to the thalamus, whence impulses are transmitted by thalamo-cortical fibers to the cerebral cortex. In ungulates a distinct tract extends from the anterior part of the sensory nucleus to the thalamus of the same side (Wallenberg). It is probable that collaterals of the arcuate fibers go to the motor nuclei of the fifth, seventh, ninth, and tenth cranial nerves. (2) Axones of cells of the sensory nucleus enter the posterior cerebellar peduncle of the same side and reach the cerebellar cortex. (3) Collaterals are distributed to the nuclei of origin of the hypoglossal and of the motor part of the trigeminal and facial nerves.

The =motor root= (Portio minor) extends forward beneath the sensory root and the semilunar ganglion and is incorporated with the mandibular division of the nerve. Its fibers arise chiefly from the so-called masticatory nucleus, which is situated in the pons near the inner face of the sensory nucleus; a few of these fibers come from the nucleus of the opposite side and cross in the raphé. Other fibers, which constitute the mesencephalic root, arise from cells in the outer part of the central gray matter of the mid-brain.

It is evident from the foregoing statements that the trigeminus has essentially the same arrangement as a typical spinal nerve. It divides into three branches.