Sympathetic Nerves And Nasal Secretion In The Cat

Abstract

The influence of sympathetic nerves on nasal secretion was examined in anaesthetized cats. The results from experiments in which the Vidian nerve was stimulated supramaximally for 3 min show that vasoconstriction occurs in the nasal cavity during the production of nasal secretion. The amount of nasal secretidn produced in the normal cavity on Vidian nerve stimulation was greater than that produced in the sympathectomized nasal cavity but only significantly so at 2 and 5 Hz. It is concluded that at these lower frequencies sympathetic activity induced by Vidian nerve stimulation increases nasal secretion.