Cytoarchitecture of medial cuneate nucleus in the buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The medial cuneate nucleus represents the rostral termination of the fasciculus cuneatus, the dorsal column spinal pathway that carries information regarding proprioception, fine tactual discrimination (stereognosis) and vibratory sensations from the upper extremities and upper trunk. The cytoarchitecture of medial cuneate nucleus of the buffalo has been described by materials collected from eight buffalos. Serial and semi serial sections of brain stem were stained with nissl stain. Nucleus was consisting of round, triangular, oval, fusiform and stellate cells. Majority of the medium sized neurons were round and multipolar cells. The position of the nucleus of these cells was central or eccentric and the position of the nucleolus was variably central and darkly stained and the Nissl substance was stained moderate to deep. The numbers of medium sized neurons were more in the caudorostral directions. Hopefully, this study will improve our understanding of the role of the medial cuneate nucleus as major centre for sensory information processing and contribute to our understanding of comparative neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.