THE PERIPHERAL MOTOR SYMPATHETIC INNERVATION TO AND WITHIN THE UTERUS

Abstract

Stimulation of the presacral nerve following section, the uterus and adjacent parametrium in the ovariectomized rabbit elicits responses of the whole uterus. Progressive section of the parametrium leads to a point at which responses of the tubal portion of a uterine cornu are abolished. In other exps., section of the parametrium alone, leaving the uterus itself intact, still abolishes responses of the tubal end of a uterine cornu upon presacral nerve stimulation. Thus the main nerve paths to the uterus lie well within the parametrium. The ganglia uterini cervicalia may be completely excised without abolishing the uterine responses. Section of a small portion of parametrium near this site does abolish responses of the whole uterus. Thug the main paths run close to cervix then dip deeply into the parametrium as they pass cephalad. Point stimulation of selected portions of the parametrium elicits uterine contractions opposite the site of stimulation. These contractions either die out locally, or spread very slowly. This and other evidence indicates that the motor fibers, having entered the uterus, innervate the myo-metrium only locally and do not contribute to a widespread intramural plexus.