Anatomical and Physiological Characteristics of the Vestibular Ganglion of the Bull Frog

Abstract

The spatial distribution of nerve fibers from individual vestibular end organs in the vestibular ganglia (VG) was studied using horseradish peroxidase (HRP). HRP was injected into the cut end of the bull frog ampullary nerve. Stained neural elements were counted on the serial sections. Spatial distribution was also studied by recording ampullary nerve compound action potentials (AP) from VG. The anterior semicircular canal (SC) nerves were distributed in the anterior half of VG. The horizontal SC nerves were also distributed in the anterior half of VG, but tended to be posterior. The posterior SC nerves were found predominantly in the posterior half and antero-dorsal portions. These distribution patterns corresponded well with those confirmed by AP recording. There were a few neural connections between anterior and posterior SC, or horizontal and posterior SC, indicating receptor-receptor fibers.

Key Words:

• HRP
• action potential
• spatial distribution
• vestibular nerve
• vestibular ganglion