The myelinated parallel fibers of the cerebellar cortex and their regional distribution

Summary In the cerebellar cortex of the Rhesus monkey and the cat, the supraganglionic plexus in the molecular layer exhibits regional differences. The plexus is very well developed in the vermal parts of the anterior lobe, but only poorly developed in the nodulofloccular lobe. Most of the fibers of this plexus are myelinated parallel fibers, which synapse in the typical manner with dendritic thorns of Purkinje cells. Only very few fibers of this plexus are recurrent collaterals of Purkinje cells. Their distribution throughout the cerebellar cortex does not display regional differences. These findings agree with physiological data on the disinhibition of Purkinje cells in different parts of the cerebellar cortex.Dedicated to Professor Dr. med. Drs. h.c. W. Bargmann in honour of his 70th birthday.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (La 184/2).