Morphological and electrophysiological properties of trigeminal neurones projecting to the accessory abducens nucleus of the cat.

Horseradish peroxidase was injected into the somata or axons of neurones located in the nucleus oralis of the spinal trigeminal complex and projecting to the accessory abducens nucleus. A group of 43 axons with electrophysiologically identified responses to the stimulation of three different areas of the face were studied. The latencies of their orthodromic responses following trigeminal stimulation and their pattern of discharges were compared to those of secondary trigeminal neurones and retractor bulbi motoneurones. Labelled trigeminal axons were found to generate collaterals for the accessory abducens nucleus. Terminal ramifications are present in the rostro-caudal part of the motor nucleus where the dendritic arborization of the motoneurones has been described. Connections to facial and trigeminal motor nuclei were also present, suggesting that secondary trigeminal axons distributed the information to the three motor targets at the brain stem level. It is suggested that the trigemino-retractor bulbi reflex is part of facial reflexes involved in orienting reactions, and protective responses resulting in coordinated movements of the facial musculature.