Three novel neural pathways to the lacrimal glands of the cat: an investigation with cholera toxin B subunit as a retrograde tracer

Abstract

The distribution of ganglion neurons innervating the lacrimal gland (LG) was investigated following injection of cholera toxin B subunit into the LG of the cat. We report the first evidence that the otic ganglion (OG), and superior vagal and glossopharyngeal ganglia are also the sources of innervation of the LG. LG-innervating neurons in the pterygopalatine ganglion and the OG could be divided into two subpopulations: small and large neurons. They may mediate the vasodilatation and secretion, respectively.