SYMPATHETIC NERVE FIBERS IN THE ALVEOLAR NERVES AND NERVES OF THE DENTAL PULP

¹ Department of Microanatomy, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.

The data presented in this paper support the following conclusions:

1. The alveolar nerves include sympathetic nerve fibers derived from the superior cervical ganglion via the plexus on the external carotid and its branches.

2. Few sympathetic nerve fibers actually enter the dental pulp, as indicated by the findings that: (a) Nearly all of the nerve fibers in the dental pulp disappear following section of the trigeminal nerve distal to the semilunar ganglion. (b) Removal of the superior cervical ganglion results in no appreciable change in the distribution of nerve fibers in the dental pulp. (c) Removal of the pulps of all the teeth on one side results in but slight chromatolysis in the superior cervical ganglion on that side.

3. Ligation and section of the alveolar nerves and blood vessels and surrounding connective tissue results in extensive chromatolysis in the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion.

4. Ligation and section of the mental nerves and blood vessels and surrounding connective tissue results in considerable chromatolysis in the ipsilateral superior cervical ganglion.

5. Sympathetic nerve fibers terminate in the walls of the alveolar blood vessels; others are distributed via the mental nerves.

6. Most of the nerve fibers in the dental pulp, including the smallest, are myelinated. Previous investigators have established their sensory function.

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