The chemoarchitecture of the pretectal complex of the rabbit was examined in sections stained by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) diaphorase in the coronal, horizontal and sagittal plane. Twelve different subdivisions can be identified in the rabbit prectectum on the basis of the distribution of both histochemical markers. According to the standard terminology, the pretectal complex of the rabbit consists of: the nucleus of the optic tract; the anterior, posterior, olivary and medial pretectal nuclei; the nucleus of the posterior commissure; the periventricular subcommissural gray; the suprageniculate and internal suprageniculate nuclei, and the dorsal, lateral and medial terminal nuclei of the accessory optic system. The combined use of several sectioning planes and the histochemical mapping of AChE and NADH diaphorase have been of value in resolving the structural limits within transitional regions of the pretectum.