Relationship between representation of hindpaw and hindpaw barrel subfield (HBS) in layer IV of rat somatosensory cortex

Neuroreport
P P PearsonR S Waters

Abstract

We describe the organization of the hindpaw barrel subfield (HBS) in layer IV of rat somatosensory cortex (SI) and relate this organization to the representation of the hindpaw. The ovoid-shaped, HBS is oriented anterior to posterior and comprises barrels and barrel-like structures, the most prominent of which consist of at least five anteriorly-located elongated barrel bands. Posterior to these elongated bands is a cluster of four barrels. Two additional barrels are found, one lateral, the other medial. The lateral border is formed by a nearly continuous band that overlaps portions of the anterior elongated bands and posterior barrels. The HBS shows considerable variability in size and shape; nevertheless, the overall pattern reflects a common plan of organization. Electrophysiological mapping confirmed that hindpaw representation is somatotopically organized. The glabrous toes are represented anteriorly, the pads posteriorly, and the dorsal hairy skin of the toes and hindpaw laterally. By aligning physiological and morphological (HBS) maps according to lesion sites, our data suggest that the elongated anteriorly-located barrel bands represent the hindpaw toes, the four toe pads are represented immediately posterior followed b...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 1, 2006·Experimental Brain Research·Cecilia P MargretRobert S Waters
Sep 4, 2015·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Tina M Decosta-FortuneRobert S Waters
Nov 3, 2020·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·Violeta Pellicer-MorataRobert S Waters

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