Pathways Taken by the Sympathetic Vasomotor Nerves From the Sympathetic Chain to the Vasculature of the Hind Leg Muscles of the Dog

Abstract

Pathways taken by the sympathetic vasomotor nerves from the sympathetic chain to the vasculatute of the lower leg muscles were studied in 20 anesthetized mongrel dogs. Blood flow was measured in the femoral artery supplying the skeletal muscle of the thigh and upper calf. The lumbar chain was explored and stimulated electrically. . Both dilator and constrictor responses were observed on stimulation of the sympathetic chain. On the average, 89.1% of the response to stimulation of the sympathetic chain was mediated over the sciatic nerve, 8.7% over fibers associated with the femoral artery and 2.2% over the femoral nerve.