Localization of Nerves Innervating the Auricle of the Rat in the Brain and Spinal Cord / 대한해부학회지

ABSTRACT

The nerves innervating the auricle of the rat were investigated using PRV (pseudorabies virus) as a neural tracer. The neural tracer was injected into rostral part of the right auricle of the rat. The PRV immunoreactive neurons were labeled bilaterally and more densely labeled in the brain than spinal cord. In the brain, PRV immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies and fibers were observed in thalamus, periaqueductal gray matter, reticular formation, spinal trigeminal nucleus, spinal tract of trigeminal nerve and facial nucleus. The more densely labeled PRV immunoreactive neurons were found in thalamus, reticular formation, spinal tract of trigeminal nerve and facial nucleus. In the spinal cord, PRV immunoreactive neurons were extended from T8 to L2 segments. The more densely labeled PRV immunoreactive neurons were found from T11 to L2 segments. Above results, the nerves innervating the auricle of the rat were widely distributed in brain and spinal cord and may have many connections with other nerves. These results may provide a neuroanatomical data on the nerves innervating the auricle of the rat in the central nervous system.