Latency distribution from orthodromic stimulation at the optic nerve, in the lateral geniculate nucleus and superior colliculus of rabbits

Abstract

Latency distribution of responses to optic nerve stimulation has been compared between the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (L.G.N.) and Superior Colliculus (S.C.), in rabbits. Histograms revealed that in both structures the latency distributions are very similar. Results suggest that all groups of retinofugal fibers project to both sites, although longer latencies are more frequently met at the collicular level. In addition evidence is presented that in rabbit's optic nerve there are at least three populations of axons with different conduction velocities.