Bilateral Nasal Vascular Responses To Unilateral Sympathetic Stimulation

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Abstract
Unilateral preganglionic cervical sympathetic stimulation in the anesthetized cat evoked vasoconstriction in both nasal cavities, dependent on stimulation frequency. Vasoconstriction in the contralateral cavity was 15-20% of that on the stimulated side. Similar findings were obtained on unilateral Vidian nerve stimulation. Vasoconstriction evoked in the sympathectomized nasal cavity by stimulating the opposite cervical chain was reduced but not abolished by sectioning the posterior nasal and ethmoidal nerves of the stimulated side. Vasoconstrictor fibers may reach the opposite cavity either in these nerves or by way of blood vessels, but more likely the sympathetic fibers from these pathways innervate blood vessels which supply both nasal cavities.