Identification of motoneurons innervating the tensor tympani and tensor veli palatini muscles in the cat

Abstract

The somatotopic arrangement of the motoneurons associated with the two non-masticatory muscles innervated by the trigeminal motor nerve, tensor tympani (TT) and tensor veli palatini (TVP), was determined in the cat using retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. The motoneurons of the TT are distinct and separate, ventral and ventral-lateral to the rostral two-thirds of the trigeminal motor nucleus. The cells are smaller than those of the motor nucleus and constitute a parvocellular division. Based on functional and morphological criteria, TT motoneurons may be considered as an accessory trigeminal nucleus. The somatotopic arrangement of TVP motoneurons has been described for the first time. These motoneurons are located in the rostral two-thirds of the ventromedial division of the cat trigeminal motor nucleus. The location of motoneurons associated with TT and TVP does not fit the parcellation of the cat trigeminal motor nucleus as described by previous investigators. The motoneurons of these muscles can now be assigned to areas either within (TVP) or adjacent to (TT) the rostral two-thirds of the motor nucleus.