Localization of masticatory motoneurons in the trigeminal motor nucleus of shrew and pig, with emphasis on the innervation ratio in the shrew

Abstract

Objectives:We investigated the topographical representation of the masticatory muscles, primarily in the trigeminal motor nucleus (TMN) of the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus) and miniature pig, in a series of mammalian comparative anatomical studies. Additionally, correlations between motoneurons and muscles were investigated in order to examine the functionality of each muscle in the trigeminal motor system. Methods:Motoneurons were labeled using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injection into each muscle innervated by the trigeminal nerve. In the shrew, the sizes and numbers of HRP-labeled neurons, muscle weight, and numbers of muscle fibers were measured in the innervated muscles, and correlation coefficients for the relationships among these parameters were calculated. Results:The motoneuron cluster of each muscle was arranged in the TMN in a manner similar to that observed in other previously reported animals, but the distribution of the lateral pterygoid motoneurons varied between species. In addition, considerably higher overlap was observed in each pig jaw-closer motoneuron cluster compared with other animals. The approximate innervation ratios were as follows: masseter, 337; temporal, 322; anterior digastric, 137; medial pterygoid, 110; lateral pterygoid, 79; mylohyoid, 42; tensor veli palatini, 42; transverse mandibular, 16; and tensor tympani muscles, 5. ConclusionsThe distribution pattern of the masticatory motoneurons was clearly observed in the shrew and pig TMN, and various correlations between the motoneuron and innervated muscles were determined.