Morphological and functional properties of trigeminal nucleus oralis neurons projecting to the trigeminal motor nucleus of the cat

Brain Res. 1988 Sep 27;461(1):143-9. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(88)90732-9.

Abstract

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the somata located in the rostrodorsomedial part (Vo.r) of the trigeminal nucleus oralis; an axonal projection to the trigeminal motor nucleus (Vmo) was demonstrated in two Vo.r neurons. The two neurons differed in their morphological and functional properties. The first Vo.r neuron responded to stimulation of low-threshold mechanoreceptors and its stem axon gave off massive axon collaterals that issued terminal branches to the dorsolateral subdivision of Vmo, Vo.r, and the medial and lateral parts of the lower brainstem reticular formation. The second Vo.r neuron was activated by stimulation of the tooth pulp or lingual nerve at twice longer latency than that of the first neuron. This stem axon was divided into two main ascending and one descending branches, and one of the main ascending branches was further bifurcated into two branches. The main non-bifurcated ascending branch gave off 4 collaterals, two of which sent terminal branches into the dorsolateral subdivision of Vmo and others into the Vo.r and juxta-trigeminal regions. The somato-dendroarchitectonic differences were also described in the two Vo.r neurons stained.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axonal Transport
  • Cats / anatomy & histology*
  • Horseradish Peroxidase
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Trigeminal Nerve / anatomy & histology*
  • Trigeminal Nerve / physiology
  • Trigeminal Nuclei / anatomy & histology*
  • Trigeminal Nuclei / physiology

Substances

  • Horseradish Peroxidase