Convergence of excitatory inputs from the chorda tympani, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves onto superior salivatory nucleus neurons in the cat.
Superior salivatory nucleus (SSN) neurons were identified by antidromic spike responses to stimulation of the chorda tympani nerve, and were tested to stimulation of the ipsilateral chorda tympani, glossopharyngeal, vagus and lingual nerves in urethane-chloralose anesthetized cats. In 48 SSN neurons identified, 33 (69%) responded with spikes to stimulation of at least one of these nerves, and 24 (50%) were excited with inputs from more than one stimulated nerve. The mean latencies of the reflex responses to stimulation of the chorda tympani, glossopharyngeal, vagus or lingual nerve were 13.2, 18.9, 24.6 or 11.4 ms, respectively.