Convergence of Visceral Afferents on Candidate Units for the Pontine Defecation Reflex Center of the Dog

Abstract

Convergence of visceral afferents was studied in 245 pontine reticular units that responded to afferent stimulation of rectal branches of the pelvic nerve of dogs. Afferents from the urinary bladder and the anal mucosa converged in about 90 % of the units. Thoracic vagal afferents were projected in 20 % of the units.