Perivascular nerves in the feline carotid rete.

Numerous nerve fibres containing acetylcholinesterase and noradrenaline, as well as avian pancreatic polypeptide-, vasoactive intestinal peptide-, or substance P-like immunoreactivity are observed around arteries in the external carotid rete of the cat. The nerves are located in the adventitial layer close to the media. It is possible that adrenergic, cholinergic and peptidergic nerve fibres may have a strong neurogenic influence on the rete blood vessels.