Dorsal unpaired median neurons of the cockroach metathoracic ganglion

Abstract

On the dorsal surface in the metathoracic ganglion of the cockroach Periplaneta americana, eight large and a number of small somata described by Crossman et al., (1971) were reexamined. These eight large cells (40-60 micron in diameter) could be divided into three different types by Lucifer yellow or nickel injection, depending on the branching of their axons. No neuron was found which sent axons into either the anterior or posterior connectives. In the mesothoracic ganglion an interganglionic H-shaped DUM neuron was found which had four axons, one into each anterior and posterior connective.