The trigeminofacial innervation of the cephalic lateral line organs and photophores of the lantern fishTarletonbeania crenularis(Myctophidae)

Abstract

The trigeminofacial innervation of the cephalic photophores and lateral line organs of Tarletonbeania crenularis has been studied from gross dissections. The facial and trigeminal roots leave the brainstem separately, but later intermingle forming a trigemino‐facial complex. The seventh nerve gives rise to the hyomandibular trunk and sends a branch rostrad to join the trigeminal forming the supra‐ and infraorbital trunks. The supraorbital trunk innervates the Dn photophore, the snout, the iris, the supraorbital lateral line organs and part of the olfactory sacs. The infraorbital trunk supplies the infraorbital lateral line organs, the Vn photophore and the tissues surrounding the premaxillaries. The hyomandibular trunk passes to the opercular photophores and lateral line organs, and together with a branch from the infraorbital trunk supplies the branchiostegal photophores and lateral line organs of the mandible.