SOME AFFERENT NERVES PRODUCING REFLEX RESPONSES OF THE NICTITATING MEMBRANE

Abstract

In cats under urethane anesthesia reflex responses in the nictitating membrane and blood pressure may be elicited by afferent stimulation of the following nerves: saphenous, hamstring, hypoglossal, splanchnic, hypogastric, hepatic, cervical sympathetic, pelvic, and also the cardiac branch of the stellate ganglion. Stimulation of the cornea elicits rises of blood pressure but has minimal effects on the nictitating membrane. Quantitative differences between the several afferents as regards their relative effects on the nictitating membrane and the blood pressure were recorded. These reflexes are discussed in relation to the following problems: purpose, mixed composition of the afferents, "pain" afferents, and central connections.