Evidence of a gustatory-vestibular pathway for protein transport.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate anatomically a pathway for protein transport from the palate to the vestibular system.


METHODS
The vestibulofacial anastomosis and associated ganglion cells were identified in a collection of 160 horizontally sectioned human temporal bones that had been stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was applied to the greater superficial petrosal nerve in 4 Sprague-Dawley rats. After 30 hours, the rats were killed by intracardiac perfusion, and the seventh and eighth nerves with adjacent brainstem removed. Frozen sections cut at 30 mum through this block were then reacted for HRP, counterstained with neutral red, and mounted on slides for examination in the light microscope.


RESULTS
Thirty-two of the 160 human temporal bones contained sections through the vestibulofacial anastomosis and its ganglion. In all cases, the ganglion was incorporated into the vestibular ganglion (VG) adjacent to the nervus intermedius. In all 4 experimental rats, HRP reaction product labeled a small number of ganglion cells in the VG adjacent to the nervus intermedius and facial nerve.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations support the presence of a pathway from receptors in the palate to the VG.
Gacek
Richard
R
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA. gacekr@ummhc.org
Lyon
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010159:Palate / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016707:Tissue Fixation; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology
D004396:Coloring Agents; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase