Petrosal ganglion: A more complex role than originally imagined
Author
dc.contributor.author
Retamal, Mauricio A.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Reyes, Edison P.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Alcayaga Urbina, Julio
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2019-03-15T16:07:49Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2019-03-15T16:07:49Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2014
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
Frontiers in Physiology, December 2014 | Volume 5 | Article 474
Identifier
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1664042X
Identifier
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10.3389/fphys.2014.00474
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/166302
Abstract
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The petrosal ganglion (PG) is a peripheral sensory ganglion, composed of pseudomonopolar sensory neurons that innervate the posterior third of the tongue and the carotid sinus and body. According to their electrical properties PG neurons can be ascribed to one of two categories: (i) neurons with action potentials presenting an inflection (hump) on its repolarizing phase and (ii) neurons with fast and brisk action potentials. Although there is some correlation between the electrophysiological properties and the sensory modality of the neurons in some species, no general pattern can be easily recognized. On the other hand, petrosal neurons projecting to the carotid body are activated by several transmitters, with acetylcholine and ATP being the most conspicuous in most species. Petrosal neurons are completely surrounded by a multi-cellular sheet of glial (satellite) cells that prevents the formation of chemical or electrical synapses between neurons. Thus, PG neurons are regarded as mere wires that communicate the periphery (i.e., carotid body) and the central nervous system. However, it has been shown that in other sensory ganglia satellite glial cells and their neighboring neurons can interact, partly by the release of chemical neuro-glio transmitters. This intercellular communication can potentially modulate the excitatory status of sensory neurons and thus the afferent discharge. In this mini review, we will briefly summarize the general properties of PG neurons and the current knowledge about the glial-neuron communication in sensory neurons and how this phenomenon could be important in the chemical sensory processing generated in the carotid body.