Localization of Nerves Innervating Lacrimal, Submandibular and Sublingual Gland in the Rat Brain Stem Using Cholera Toxin B Subunit / 대한해부학회지

ABSTRACT

In the rat brain stem, the origin of neurons and afferent fibers projecting to the lacrimal, submandibular or sublingual gland was investigated by means of retrograde transport of Cholera Toxin B Subunit (CTB), respectively. Injection of CTB into the lacrimal gland labeled their neurons in superior salivatory nucleus (SSN) and facial nucleus. Superior salivatory neurons innervating lacrimal gland were labeled more densely in the rostral and caudal part of SSN. In the facial nucleus, labeled cell bodys were seen in the posterolateral part of facial nucleus. Injection of CTB into the submandibular or sublingual gland labeled their neurons in SSN and their afferent fibers in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). The superior salivatory neurons innervating submandibular or sublingual gland were labeled densely in the middle part of SSN. In the middle part of SSN, neurons innervating submandibular gland were labeled diffusely in the medial part of facial nerve and neurons innervating sublingual gland were labeled in the anteromedial and posterior part of facial nerve. The labeled nerve fibers in NTS were seen in the middle part of NTS.