The laminar organization of the lateral geniculate body and the striate cortex in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

Abstract

The organization of the projection from the lateral geniculate body to the striate cortex in the squirrel monkey has been re-examined using the anterograde and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to HRP. The results confirm earlier findings that the projections of the magnocellular and parvocellular layers of the lateral geniculate body terminate in separate sublaminae of layer IV of striate cortex; a more superficial projection of the parvocellular layers to a narrow strip at the base of layer III (IVA in Brodmann's terminology) has also been confirmed. In addition to these well characterized pathways, our results show that the projections of the lateral geniculate body terminate in more superficial levels of layer III and sparsely in layer I of striate cortex. The projections to the upper portion of layer III terminate in distinct patches which coincide precisely with patches of cytochrome oxidase activity previously identified in this zone. The projections to the patches originate primarily from small, pale-staining cells of the “intercalated layers” which surround the magnocellular layers of the lateral geniculate body. A comparison of the organization of the geniculo-cortical projections in the squirrel monkey with that of the cat, Galago, and Tupaia suggests that, despite marked species differences in the laminar organization of the lateral geniculate body and striate cortex, there are striking similarities in the pathway which terminates in the most superficial layers of striate cortex.