Neurocalcin-immunoreactive neurons in the petrosal ganglion innervate the taste bud |
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Authors: | Ichikawa H Sugimoto T |
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Institution: | Department of Oral Function and Anatomy and Biodental Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Okayama 700-8525, Japan. hiroichi@md.okayama-u.ac.jp |
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Abstract: | The distribution and origin of neurocalcin-immunoreactive (NC-ir) nerve fibers in the taste bud and carotid body were examined by an immunofluorescence method. In the circumvallate papilla of the tongue, NC-ir nerve fibers made subepithelial nerve plexuses and occasionally penetrated the taste bud. However, the carotid body was devoid of ir nerve fibers. In the petrosal ganglion, 32% of neurons were immunoreactive for NC. Such neurons were mostly medium-sized to large, and scattered throughout the ganglion. In the superior cervical and intralingual ganglia, numerous ir varicose fibers surrounded postsynaptic neurons. However, NC-ir could not be detected in cell bodies of these neurons. The retrograde tracing method indicated that NC-ir petrosal neurons innervated taste buds in the circumvallate papilla. NC-ir neurons may have a gustatory function in the petrosal ganglion. |
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