Terminal Arbors of Axons That Have Formed Abnormal Connections

Ther terminal arbors of individual retinogeniculate axons that have been induced to grow into an inappropriate geniculate layer have been revealed for light and electron microscopic study by being filled with horseradish peroxidase. After a unilateral ocular enucleation in kittens, single axons from the surviving eye show terminal arbors not only within their own geniculate layers but also in the denervated layers. The new, abnormal arbors arise from the terminal segments of arbors that lie within the nondenervated layer and make patterns of synaptic contacts that appear normal.