The central organization of the vagus nerve innervating the colon of the rat

摘要: Abstract Background: The extent to which the vagus nerve innervates colon remains controversial. Methods: In 29 rats tracer cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase was injected into cecum, ascending, transverse, or descending rectum. For comparison, control injections were made stomach. Results: all areas of except rectum, brainstem motoneuronal labeling limited lateral third dorsal motor nucleus bilaterally. contrast, gastric resulted in medial portions nucleus. number labeled motoneurons greatest following injection and it significantly decreased for more distal colon. Colonic motoneuron dendrites projected solitary tract within nerve. Sensory afferent terminal commissural subnuclei tract. sensory spinal cord. Conclusions: distribution vagal complex indicates that regions colon, are innervated by celiac accessory branches