Nerve cells in the three peripheral divisions of trigeminal nerve in albino rat

ABSTRACT

Ten albino rats were sacrificed in this study. Specimens from the three main division of the trigeminal nerve were prepared and stained with onlinary haematoxylin and eosin, silver and toluidine blue. The distal principal peripheral divisions of the trigeminal nerve were found to contain groups of nerve cells among their nerve fibres. Histologically, these nerve cells were found to be active and similar to the ganglionic cells, hence a new term which is "accessory trigeminal ganglion" can be suggested. These cells were detected in all the sensory divisions ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular, and in the motor branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve as well