Somatotopic and functional organization of the avian trigeminal ganglion: an HRP analysis in the hatchling chick. 1980

D M Noden

While the somatotopic organization of many central systems is well characterized, that of peripheral sensory neurons has not been adequately defined. This is especially true for the trigeminal ganglion. By applying HRP subcutaneously at each of 14 sites and also intramuscularly, it is possible to determine whether the location of sensory neurons within the ganglion reflects their peripheral projections. There is no discernible somatotopic organization of neurons in the ophthalmic lobe. However, the location of maxillary neurons in the maxillo-mandibular lobe is organized with the most posterior cells projecting to sites closest to the ganglion and with neurons located more anteriorly projecting to progressively more distant sites. There is a less well defined organization in the superior-inferior axis of the ganglion, and none along its proximal (root) to distal axis. Mandibular exteroceptive neurons are found primarily in the anterior region of the maxillo-mandibular lobe, while mandibular proprioceptive cells are located in the proximo-central part of this lobe. In most cases there is a considerable scattering of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-filled neurons. Projections to contralateral ganglia, the trigeminal motor nucleus, and the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus were also examined. Cytologically, the hatchling trigeminal consists of two interspersed types of neurons: large, lightly staining and smaller, darkly staining cells. Previous experiments have proved that these two cell types do not correspond to each of the embryonic precursors of trigeminal neurons, the neural crest and placodal cells. In this study HRP was found localized in both classes of neurons following injection at all sites, including jaw-closing muscles. This indicates that the dual cytology is not correlated with either distribution of peripheral fibers or exteroceptive vs. proprioceptive functions. The possibilities that the two types of neurons may have different central projections and/or may be related to visceral vs. somatic afferent functions are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008410 Masticatory Muscles Muscles arising in the zygomatic arch that close the jaw. Their nerve supply is masseteric from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Masticatory Muscle,Muscle, Masticatory,Muscles, Masticatory
D009434 Neural Pathways Neural tracts connecting one part of the nervous system with another. Neural Interconnections,Interconnection, Neural,Interconnections, Neural,Neural Interconnection,Neural Pathway,Pathway, Neural,Pathways, Neural
D011434 Proprioception Sensory functions that transduce stimuli received by proprioceptive receptors in joints, tendons, muscles, and the INNER EAR into neural impulses to be transmitted to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Proprioception provides sense of stationary positions and movements of one's body parts, and is important in maintaining KINESTHESIA and POSTURAL BALANCE. Labyrinthine Sense,Position Sense,Posture Sense,Sense of Equilibrium,Vestibular Sense,Sense of Position,Equilibrium Sense,Sense, Labyrinthine,Sense, Position,Sense, Posture,Sense, Vestibular
D001931 Brain Mapping Imaging techniques used to colocalize sites of brain functions or physiological activity with brain structures. Brain Electrical Activity Mapping,Functional Cerebral Localization,Topographic Brain Mapping,Brain Mapping, Topographic,Functional Cerebral Localizations,Mapping, Brain,Mapping, Topographic Brain
D002645 Chickens Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA. Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D006735 Horseradish Peroxidase An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology. Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
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
D012668 Trigeminal Ganglion The semilunar-shaped ganglion containing the cells of origin of most of the sensory fibers of the trigeminal nerve. It is situated within the dural cleft on the cerebral surface of the petrous portion of the temporal bone and gives off the ophthalmic, maxillary, and part of the mandibular nerves. Gasserian Ganglion,Semilunar Ganglion,Gasser's Ganglion,Trigeminal Ganglia,Ganglia, Trigeminal,Ganglion, Gasser's,Ganglion, Gasserian,Ganglion, Semilunar,Ganglion, Trigeminal,Gasser Ganglion,Gassers Ganglion,Semilunar Ganglions,Trigeminal Ganglias,Trigeminal Ganglions
D014276 Trigeminal Nerve The 5th and largest cranial nerve. The trigeminal nerve is a mixed motor and sensory nerve. The larger sensory part forms the ophthalmic, mandibular, and maxillary nerves which carry afferents sensitive to external or internal stimuli from the skin, muscles, and joints of the face and mouth and from the teeth. Most of these fibers originate from cells of the TRIGEMINAL GANGLION and project to the TRIGEMINAL NUCLEUS of the brain stem. The smaller motor part arises from the brain stem trigeminal motor nucleus and innervates the muscles of mastication. Cranial Nerve V,Fifth Cranial Nerve,Nerve V,Nervus Trigeminus,Cranial Nerve, Fifth,Fifth Cranial Nerves,Nerve V, Cranial,Nerve Vs,Nerve, Fifth Cranial,Nerve, Trigeminal,Trigeminal Nerves,Trigeminus, Nervus
D014278 Trigeminal Nuclei Nuclei of the trigeminal nerve situated in the brain stem. They include the nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract (TRIGEMINAL NUCLEUS, SPINAL), the principal sensory nucleus, the mesencephalic nucleus, and the motor nucleus. Trigeminal Nuclear Complex,Nuclear Complex, Trigeminal,Nuclear Complices, Trigeminal,Nuclei, Trigeminal,Nucleus, Trigeminal,Trigeminal Nuclear Complices,Trigeminal Nucleus
Copied contents to your clipboard!