[Cytoarchitecture and topography of the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei of swine (Sus scrofa domestica)]

Abstract

The topography and cytoarchitecture of nc. hypothalamicus ventromedialis, nc. hypothalamicus dorsomedialis and nc. infundibularis were descripted in the pig. The nc. hypothalamicus ventromedialis is the dominant nucleus in the tuber cinereum. The rostral pole lies caudal to the nc. hypothalamicus anterior. Its caudal pole is bounded by the nc. premamillaris and the nc. hypothalamicus ventrolateralis. Scattered neurons separate the nc. hypothalamicus ventromedialis dorsal from the nc. hypothalamicus dorsomedialis. Dorsolateral it is limited by the fornix and medial from the ventricular wall by the nc. hypothalamicus periventricularis ventralis and the nc. infundibularis. The neurons are medium-sized. They are compactly arranged at the periphery but in the centre the texture is much looser. The nc. hypothalamicus dorsomedialis is a poorly delimited nucleus in the rostral part of the medial hypothalamus. Ventral it is separated from the nc. hypothalamicus ventromedialis by a narrow relative cell free zone. The area hypothalamica rostralis limits it dorsolateral and the nc. paraventricularis dorsomedial. The caudal boundary is formed medial by the nc. periventricularis dorsalis and lateral by the fornix and the area hypothalamica lateralis. Small and medium-sized neurons predominate in this nucleus. The nc. infundibularis surrounds the infundibulum and reaches the recessus mamillaris. The two lateral parts are united at the floor of the third ventricle. Its small neurons are associated with the ependym. The topography and cytoarchitecture of the pig tuber cinereum was compared with the nuclear configuration of other Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Carnivora and Rodentia.