Modulation of Digastric Reflex Responses during Chewing, Licking and Swallowing in conscious rats

Abstract

Digastric muscle (Dig) is composed of anterior belly (Ant-Dig) and posterior belly (Post-Dig) innervated by different motor neurons. Ant-Dig reflex is known to be a jaw-opening reflex and numerous studies have reported modulation of Ant-Dig reflex responses in functions (Lund and Olsson, 1983; Yamamura et al., 1998; Yamada et al., 2013). However, the Post-Dig reflex and its contribution to orofacial function have never been investigated before.

This is the first time to reveal the nature and modulation of Post-Dig reflex during rest, chew, lick, and swallow. We investigated how the reflex was evoked and modulated in the functions.