Mechanical stimulation of the cat stomach revealed two groups of neuronal responses in the solitary tract's nucleus: phasic and tonic those. The neurons with phasic responses were found mainly in the caudal portion of the nucleus and could be regarded as representing stomach's mechanoreceptors. The neurons with tonic excitatory and inhibitory responses were located diffusely in the nucleus. Possible significance of these groups of neurons for the gastric bulbar centre's activity, is discussed.
Animals Brain Mapping