Degree Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
1988
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Veterinary Anatomy
First Advisor
Jeanine R. Carithers
Abstract
It has been reported that the nucleus tractus solitarius affects cardiovascular function in response to baroreceptor stimulation by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and by inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system. Experiments reported here have demonstrated that the nucleus tractus solitarius projects to the rostral ventrolateral medulla, and specifically to the immunocytochemically identified adrenergic neurons of the Cl group, which in turn project to the spinal cord. The termination of the aortic depressor nerve in the nucleus tractus solitarius, and the projections of the nucleus tractus solitarius to the ventrolateral medulla, demonstrate a simple pathway by which the baroreflex can influence sympathetic output to the heart and blood vessels. Other experiments reported here have shown projections from the nucleus tractus solitarius to the nucleus ambiguus and surrounding ventrolateral medulla, a region known to be the location of the preganglionic vagal efferent neurons that play a role in regulation of cardiovascular function. This completes the anatomical substrate through which barostimulation can activate parasympathetic cardioinhibition. In addition, these experiments have revealed that in the region of the nucleus ambiguus and surrounding ventrolateral medulla there are cells that project not only through the vagus but also to the spinal cord. Therefore an anatomical substrate has been demonstrated that could subserve baroreflex inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system via a second pathway arising from the dorsal vagal complex.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/rtd-180813-9114
Publisher
Digital Repository @ Iowa State University, http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/
Copyright Owner
David Conrad Paul Baker
Copyright Date
1988
Language
en
Proquest ID
AAI8825376
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
108 pages
Recommended Citation
Baker, David Conrad Paul, "A neuroanatomical study of connections between cardiovascular control centers in the medulla and spinal cord of the rat " (1988). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 9326.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/9326