Morphologic characterisation of the inferior olivary complex in the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The morphological structure of the inferior olivary complex in the single humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) was investigated in this paper. Serial sections through the whole rostro-caudal extent of the inferior olivary complex confirmed the configuration and interrelations of each compartment. The brain stems from 5 foetuses of 600-800 rum crown-to-rump length (CRL) and a newborn camel were removed, fixed in 10% formalin for 3 weeks, dehydrated and embedded in paraffin (2 cases) or/and celloidin (4 cases). The cytoarchitecture of inferior olivary complex was mapped in transverse serial sections, stained with toluidine blue or/and crystal violet. A descriptive nomenclature was adapted to a terminology that would imply analogy with other species. The inferior olivary complex in the camel consisted of 3 major nuclei and 4 small cell groups. The medial accessory olivary nucleus was the largest among the major nuclei; with its caudal half had a unique sickle-shaped configuration. In general the inferior olivary complex in the camel showed a phyletic homology with other mammals, i.e. the inferior olivary complex in the camel resembles that of other mammals very much, as well in its principal lines, as in many details.