The intrinsic architectonic and connectional organization of the superior temporal region of the rhesus monkey

Abstract

The superior temporal region (STR) in the rhesus monkey includes the circular sulcus (Cis), the supratemporal plane (STP), and the superior temporal gyrus (STG). Rostrally the STR is continuous with the periallocortices of the prepyriform and anterior insular regions; caudally it borders the isocortices of the inferior parietal lobule and the superior temporal sulcus. The STR contains 12 cytoarchitectonic areas: four fields on the Cis, four on the STP, and four on the STG. The sulcal fields (root fields) are adjacent to the insula and resemble it in the possession of a relatively strong layer V; the STP fields (core fields) are characterized by well‐developed layer IV; and the STG fields (belt fields) exhibit strong differentiation of layer III. In each line of fields the more rostral ones show relative prominence of the deeper layers, with increasing prominence of the superficial layers occurring caudad in a stepwise fashion. Analysis of the connectional organization of the fields within the STR suggests an assembly of four rostrocaudal stages, each composed of one field from each line–a root, a core, and a belt field. There is a specific arrangement of connections among the fields of a given stage and between fields in adjacent stages. Projections directed caudally from one field to another field in the adjacent stage arise in layers V and VI and terminate in the superficial layers (mainly layer I). Projections directed to a field in a rostrally adjacent stage arise from layer III neurons and terminate in layers III and IV, usually in columns. There is also a laminar specificity between fields lying within a given stage.