Mapping of the trigeminal sensory complex of the cat. Characterization of its neurons by stimulations of peripheral field, dental pulp afferents and thalamic projections.
From a new systematic investigation of the 4 divisions of the trigeminal sensory complex, the following points are emphasized: 1. The subnucleus oralis receives a large representation from the oral cavity, a region also represented in the three other divisions of the trigeminal sensory complex. 2. Units responding to noxious mechanical stimulation have been found in two different loci: the subnucleus caudalis for the whole trigeminal area, and the subnucleus oralis for the oral cavity. 3. The dental pulp projects to the four divisions of the trigeminal sensory complex, but the heaviest projection is found in its rostral part (the main nucleus and subnucleus oralis). 4. Three distinct types of responses were found following dental pulp stimulation: primary, non primary and responses strongly enhanced by an increase in stimulus parameters.
D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002415:Cats; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000294:innervation*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005145:Face / Q000294:innervation*; D009055:Mouth / Q000294:innervation*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000166:cytology*