Topographic representation of visceral target organs within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve of the pigeon Columba livia

Our previous work (Katz and Karten, '83a J. Comp. Neurol. 217:31-46 demonstrated that the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMN complex) in the pigeon is composed of cytoarchitecturally distinct subnuclei that are distinguished by the size, shape, position, and cytochemical characteristics of their constituent neurons. In view of the diversity of target organs innervated by the vagus nerve, we sought to determine whether the subnuclear heterogeneity of the DMN complex is related to the pattern of target innervation. To test this possibility, retrograde tracing techniques were used to define the subnuclear localization of vagal motoneurons that innervate individual vagal target organs. The distribution of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled motoneurons within the DMN complex was studied following application of HRP to the cut central end of individual vagal nerve branches and after injection of the tracer into vagal target tissues. In addition, we examined the distribution of acetylcholinesterase depletion within the DMN complex following transection of individual vagal branches. Our data demonstrate that individual vagal target organs have discrete and topographic representations within cytoarchitecturally distinct subnuclei of the DMN complex. Therefore, in the pigeon, the subnuclear distribution of vagal motoneurons plays a critical role in the organization of descending vagal motor pathways. Segregation of visceral representations within the DMN complex may provide a mechanism for organizing functionally diverse afferent inputs to target-specific populations of vagal motoneurons.