Lacrimation induced by thermal stress in patients with a facial nerve lesion.
I measured facial sweating, flushing, and lacrimation during body heating in 10 patients with a facial nerve lesion compromising parasympathetic outflow. During heating, moisture accumulated in the symptomatic eye of patients with facial nerve palsy, particularly in patients with a long-standing lesion. Sweating and flushing in the forehead were symmetrical. These findings suggest that sympathetic neural discharge during heat stress influences lacrimation in the symptomatic eye of patients with a long-standing facial nerve lesion. Cross-innervation of lacrimal neurons by sympathetic fibers passing through the sphenopalatine ganglion or occupation of degenerated parasympathetic pathways by sympathetic fibers in the periphery could mediate this response.
Drummond
P D
PD
Division of Psychology, Murdoch University, Western Australia.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000503:physiopathology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013546:Sweating; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*