Discharge patterns of pudendal efferent fibres innervating the external anal sphincter of the cat. 1985

J Krier

Segmental somatic reflexes to pudendal motor axons which innervate the skeletal muscle of the external anal sphincter were studied in cats with an intact spinal cord and in acutely spinalized cats (T13-L2 spinal cord transection level) during electrical stimulation of afferent fibres in the pudendal nerve, during distension of the anal canal and reproductive organs, and during tactile (light touch and pressure) and nociceptive stimuli (pinch) applied to the mucosa of the anal canal, anal-perianal skin region, and the skin surrounding reproductive organs. Forty single pudendal motor axons recorded from nerve filaments in the pudendal nerve branch to the external anal sphincter which responded reflexly to electrical stimulation of afferent fibres in the contralateral pudendal nerve were studied. Only one motor axon was spontaneously active. 70% of these motor axons were also activated by distension of the anal canal and reproductive organs and by mechanical stimulation of the skin. 61% of motor axons which were activated by distension of the anal canal were also activated by mechanical stimulation of the mucosa of the anal canal, anal-perianal skin region. 29% of motor axons were activated by convergent afferent inputs (during distension and mechanical stimulation) from both reproductive organs and from the external anal sphincter region. Motor axons exhibited bursts of action potentials during reflexes initiated during distension of the anal canal and vagina. Motor axons exhibited phasic discharges of action potentials during reflexes initiated by tactile or nociceptive stimuli applied to the mucosa of the anal canal, anal-perianal skin region and the skin surrounding reproductive organs. The peak firing frequencies of action potentials during mechanical stimulation of the skin ranged from 8 to 35 Hz. The average firing frequencies of action potentials during continuous distension of the anal canal ranged from 4 to 16 Hz.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009046 Motor Neurons Neurons which activate MUSCLE CELLS. Neurons, Motor,Alpha Motorneurons,Motoneurons,Motor Neurons, Alpha,Neurons, Alpha Motor,Alpha Motor Neuron,Alpha Motor Neurons,Alpha Motorneuron,Motoneuron,Motor Neuron,Motor Neuron, Alpha,Motorneuron, Alpha,Motorneurons, Alpha,Neuron, Alpha Motor,Neuron, Motor
D009475 Neurons, Afferent Neurons which conduct NERVE IMPULSES to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Afferent Neurons,Afferent Neuron,Neuron, Afferent
D009476 Neurons, Efferent Neurons which send impulses peripherally to activate muscles or secretory cells. Efferent Neurons,Efferent Neuron,Neuron, Efferent
D010812 Physical Stimulation Act of eliciting a response from a person or organism through physical contact. Stimulation, Physical,Physical Stimulations,Stimulations, Physical
D012018 Reflex An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D005260 Female Females
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
Copied contents to your clipboard!