DISTRIBUTION OF THE AFFERENT NEURONS FROM THE CANINE RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE

Localization of the afferent neurons from the canine recurrent laryngeal nerve in the nodose ganglia (NG) and jugular ganglia was studied using the horseradish peroxidase technique. Labeled cells were detected in the ipsilateral NG and presented no distinct pattern of distribution, but rather were scattered throughout the ganglion. No labeled cells were found in the contralateral NG or bilateral jugular ganglia. The size of labeled cells varied from 15 mum to 60 mum. Two to six labeled cells larger than 45 mum were detected in each dog. Most of the labeled cells (62%) had a diameter between 30 mum and 45 mum. The percentage of labeled cells with a diameter between 15 mum and 30 mum was 30% and between 45mum and 60mum was 8%. This difference in size of labeled cells in the NG may be related to functional differences among the receptors mediated.