Functional Characteristics of Single Units in the Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus of the Pigeon

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Abstract
193 cells of the spinal nucleus and tract of n.V (TTD) in pigeon were studied with microelectrode techniques. 155 cells could be activated by lightly touching discrete areas of the beak, palate or head surfaces. 38 cells were responsive only to displacement of the lower beak from its resting position. TTD tactile units were spontaneously active. Most adapted slowly to a maintained stimulus. Their receptive areas were primarily ipsilateral, some bilateral by virtue of distributing equally about the midline. Beak joint units responded either to mouth opening or closing or both, with an increase or a decrease in the background discharge rate. Somatotopic organization was evident only in the dorsoventral plane in which units with receptive areas innervated by maxillary and mandibular divisions of n.V lay dorsal to those innervated by the ophthalmic division. A comparison of TTD unit properties with those of the pigeon principal sensory nucleus is made as well as with the trigeminal sensory complex of mammalian forms. It is concluded that avian and mammalian trigeminal sensory complexes are fundamentally similar in their organization.

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