Peripheral and central terminations of axons of the mesencephalic trigeminal neurons in Xenopus.

Following injection into masticatory and extraocular muscles, the peripheral and central distributions of the axonic processes of mesencephalic trigeminal neurons (MTC) were studied with the aid of retrograde and anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase. Peripheral projections included the superior rectus, inferior rectus, superior oblique and the temporalis muscles. Central axonic processes of MTC terminated in the oculomotor--trochlear nuclear complex and in the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve.