Overlap of somatic and visual response areas in the Wulst of pigeon.

The somatic and visual response areas of the Wulst were investigated electrophysiologically in pigeons. Somatosensory neurons are distributed in the hyperstriatum accessorium (HA), the hyperstriatum intercalatus superior (HIS) and the hyperstraitum dorsal (HD), mainly in HA. The radial nerve response area is relatively larger and overlaps the sciatic nerve area. Visual neurons are located in HA, especially the more superficial part of HA. In the Wulst, the somatic response area overlaps the visual area and there is somatosensory-visual convergence.