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On the Connections of the Inferior Olivary Body
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 September 2014
Extract
The inferior olivary body or nucleus forms the ovoid projection which extends almost the whole length of the medulla oblongata, from the lower margin of the pons Varolii to within a short distance of the level of the decussation of the anterior pyramids. It is separated from the latter by a groove through which emerge the roots of the hypoglossal nerve. On its outer margin it is separated from the line of the roots of the glossopharyngeal and pneumogastric nerves by a shallow depression. Transverse vertical and longitudinal sections of the medulla show the olive to be a highly convoluted sac of grey matter open, at its hilum, towards the mesial plane. (It has two accessory nuclei of smaller size, an internal and a posterior accessory olive, which, as they are really parts of the larger nucleus, do not call for special consideration here.) The fibres of the hypoglossal nerve pass through its substance, but do not become, as was at one time supposed, and as has been recently again affirmed by Vincenzi, connected with the olive. On its median aspect lies the interolivary stratum or fillet. Anteriorly lies the anterior pyramid, posteriorly the formatio reticularis.
- Type
- Proceedings 1889-90
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- Copyright
- Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1891
References
note * page 23 Bechterew (Neurologisches Centralblatt, Dec. 1, 1882) states the results of section of the inferior olivary bodies to be as follows:—(a) Deep section of the olives produce forced movements, mostly rolling round the long axis of the body towards the injured side, and nystagmus with one eye directed upwards and outwards, and the other downwards and inwards, (b) Slighter lesions produced movements in a circular or in a forward direction, or caused the animal to throw itself backwards, (c) Sometimes forced positions, with strong lateral curvature of the body, were produced, (d) There was generally, also, a tendency to fall towards the injured side, or in lesions of both olives unsteadiness of gait, or actual inability to stand or walk.
In estimating the results of these experiments, it must be remembered that it is impossible to divide the olivary bodies without at the same time injuring some of the following structures, viz., the direct cerebellar tract, the arciform fibres of Solly (or the anterior external arcuate fibres of Edinger), the ascending tract of Gowers, or those fibres which pass from the lateral columns of the
note * page 25 Edinger, Neurol. Centralblatt, 1885, p. 73.Google Scholar See also Spitzka's paper, Medical Record, 1884, vol. xxvi., Nos. 15–18.Google Scholar