RESUMO
The orientational projections of the sensory fibres of axillary nerve to the substantia gelationsa (SG) of the spinal cord in rats were studied in accordance with the principle of transgangionic degeneration by using acid phosphatase technique. It was found that the afferent fibers of the axillary nerve projected chiefly to SG from the upper part of C_6 to the lower part of C_8 longitudinally. In a few rats, projections extended to the lower part of C_5 and upper part of T_1. In comparison with the available studies, a tendency of backward localization was noted. As to their transverse projections, the afferent fibres of the axillary nerve were found outside of the midline of SG, and mainly located in the lateral half of SG, at the 1/3 of median and the 1/3 of interior region. In the segments of C_7C_8 of some rats, the medial. 1/2 of the lateral half of SG was projected. It was found that the projection column from up downward had a tendency of extension toward lateral portion.