An intracellular characterization of neurones and neural connexions within the left coeliac ganglion of cats.

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Abstract
Intracellular recordings were made in vitro from neurons located within the left celiac ganglion of the cat solar plexus. Of the neurons within left celiac ganglia 30% were identified as efferent neurons. Within this neuronal population, splenic-efferent and renal-efferent neurons were identified specifically. Neurons within left celiac ganglia were characterized as either phasic (fast adapting) neurons or tonic (slowly adapting) neurons depending upon their prolonged firing behavior. Electrophysiology properties of neurons varied considerably. The wide range of values obtained for both input resistance and input capacitance suggest that sizeable differences in either specific membrane resistance or cell geometry exist within the over-all neuron population. Frequency distributions of input resistance, time constant, input capacitance and current threshold for tonic and phasic neurons were found to be significantly different. Compound excitatory post-synaptic potentials were produced by stimulation of the ipsilateral splanchnic nerves in 69% of the neurons tested and in 3% of the neurons tested upon stimulation of the contralateral splanchnic nerves. Electrical stimulation of nerve fibers located in the coeliac plexus, the superior mesenteric plexus or the left renal nerves generated excitatory synaptic potentials in neurons located located within left celiac ganglia. Neurons within the left celiac ganglion are innervated by splanchnic nerve fibers primarily contained within the left splanchnic nerves, receive excitatory synaptic input from splenic, renal and other peripheral preganglionic fibers and have extremely varied electrophysiological properties.