Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify and to characterize the peripheral movement evoked by electrical stimulation given to the masticatory area of the cerebral cortex (Control group), and to clarify the development of the chewing center by examining the change in the peripheral movement when the tooth germs have been enucleated (Enucleation group). Puppies were used in the present study which were anesthetized with a 25% solution of Urethane (4 ml/kg, i. p. ). Their heads were then, fixed in a stereotaxic apparatus, and the surfaces of the orbital gyrus was surgically exposed. Electrical stimulation (Frequency: 25 c/sec, Duration: 2 msec) was given to the masticatory area. All of the tooth germs of the deciduous teeth were enucleated at 12-14 days of age in the enucleation group. After the enucleated wound healed, stimulation was similarly performed in the control.
