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Somatic and visceral nociceptive inputs from the orofacial area and the upper alimentary tract converge onto CB-containing neurons in interstitial nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract in rats

Ma Wenling, Zhang Wenbin, Guo Feng

Department of Anatomy and K. K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Fourth Military Medical University. Xi'an 710032, China；Departmenf of Military Hygiene, Faculty of Naval Medicine, The Second Military Medical University. Shanghai 200433, China

Abstract

The interstitial nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract (INV) contains many calbindin-D28k-containing neurons (CB-neurons) receiving convergence information from the somatic and visceral structures. The purpose of the present study was to confirm whether the primary afferent terminals from the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) make close contact and synaptic connections with the same CB-neurons receiving visceral nociceptive signals in INV. Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) and horseradish peroxidase (H) tracing combined with CB and Fos proteins immunohistochimistry were used.

Key words: Interstitial nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract (INV);Laser scanning confocal microscope;Electron microscope;Converge;;;

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Citing This Article：

Ma Wenling, Zhang Wenbin, Guo Feng. Somatic and visceral nociceptive inputs from the orofacial area and the upper alimentary tract converge onto CB-containing neurons in interstitial nucleus of the spinal trigeminal tract in rats. Acta Physiol Sin 2004; 56 (5): (in Chinese with English abstract).