Abstract
The distributions of the sensory nerve fibers in the larynx of cats was investigated with the use of the wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) technique (44 cats) and the immunoreactive histochemistry technique for calcitonine gene-related peptide (CGRP) (10 cats). In addition, WGA-HRP labeled fibers and CGRP positive fibers were identified alternately in serial sections of eight larynges. The results were as follows (1) WGA-HRP labeled fibers innervated the ipsilateral supraglottic region and the bilateral subglottic areas. (2) They were much more abundant in the laryngeal aspect of the epiglottis, the aryepiglottic fold and the arytenoid eminence than in the other parts of the larynx. (3) CGRP positive fibers were observed in the entire laryngeal mucosa except for that of the vocal fold. They were identified also around the blood vessels and glands and in the motor end plates of the muscles. (4) Their density was greater at the laryngeal aspect of the epiglottis, aryepiglottic fold, arytenoid eminence and posterior glottis than at the other portions of the larynx. (5) WGA-HRP labeled fibers and CGRP positive fibers were the same fibers in the aryepiglottic fold, arytenoid eminence and posterior glottis, indicating that they were sensory fibers.
