SPINAL RETICULAR FORMATION IN GOAT FOETUSES

Prenatal development of reticular formation in the spinal cord of goat was studied using 52 foetuses of various ages. Reticular formation appeared by 48 days in the second month of gestation in the groove between the dorsal and ventral or lateral horns, as extensions of gray matter into the adjacent white matter. It represented the lamina V of gray matter of spinal cord. By fourth month, reticular formation presented lateral and medial parts. Reticular formation was better developed at the cervical level and extended upto the fourth sacral segment of spinal cord.