Topographical representation of the teeth of the upper jaw in the trigeminal ganglion in cat

ABSTRACT

Twenty one cats were sacrificed. Three animals were used as a control group. The remaining animals were classified into three groups. The incisors of the upper jaw were extracted from the first group three animals from their right side and three from their left side. The canines were removed from the second group while the premolars and molars were removed from the last group following the ame numbers and sides as the first group. After 3 weeks, the corresponding trigeminal ganglia were dissected, processed and stained with ordinary haematoxylin and eosin and with silver stain. The topographical representation of the teeth in the trigeminal ganglion was studied. The nerve cells supplying the incisors were found randomly distributed throughout the ganglion but more located in its center. On the other hand, the neurons supplying the canines were found more distributed in the posterior part of the ganglion. while the neurons supplying the premolars and molars were situated anteriorly