The dentate gyrus is characterized by the presence of a curved cell layer, densely packed with granule cells, i.e. cells that lacks basal dendrites but have an extensive apical dendritic tuft, extending into the molecular layer. The main border to be established is between the hilus of DG and the most proximal tip of CA3. Although this border may be difficult to observe in conventionally stained sections, it is distinguished by a rather abrupt change in neuropil staining for calbindin, such that the hilus is clearly positive for calbindin, different from the adjacent proximal part of CA3. This is caused by the calbindin-positive mossy fibers from the DG that reach cells in the hilus and the CA3. Likewise, the molecular layer of the DG stains strongly for calbindin, in contrast to the molecular layer of CA3. Note that this staining pattern is mimicked by staining with an antibody against dynorphin and using the Timm stain, not used in the series prepared for this atlas.
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