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Summary

The amygdaloid complex in the cat was studied in a series of Golgi preparations. Both the lateral and the basal nucleus are composed of the same two cell types, one of which (type P) resembles the pyramidal and the other (type S) the stellate neuron of the cortex. The cortical nucleus can be divided into three layers (I, II, and III–IV) which are made up of cells similar to those in the periamygdaloid cortex. In addition, there are sufficient differences in the organization of these layers to justify a subdivision of the cortical nucleus into lateral and medial parts. The dendrites of neurons in the medial part of the central nucleus, the medial nucleus and the anterior amygdaloid area undergo less branching and carry fewer spines than those of the type P cell. The neurons in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract are all of the pyramidal or modified pyramidal type. These findings are discussed in relation to those of previous investigators who employed the Nissl and Golgi methods.

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This investigation was supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada, Grant M.T. 870. The author wishes to thank Miss Elizabeth Korzeniowski for her technical assistance.

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Hall, E. The amygdala of the cat: A golgi study. Z.Zellforsch 134, 439–458 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307668

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307668

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