AN ANALYSIS OF CEREBRAL CONTROL OF REFLEX PUPILLARY DILATATION IN THE CAT,

Abstract

The objects of this project were to determine (1) whether the sympathetic and/or parasympathetic systems are active in controlling reflex pupillary dilatation following cerebral excitation, (2) the course which the reflex pathways follow, and (3) the degree of activity of the pupillary light reflex during stimulation of cerebral pupillodilator areas. In fourteen experiments following excitation of the gyri proeus, genualis and subcallosus, a bilateral 2-5 mm. reflex pupillary dilatation occurred due to inhibition of parasympathetic activity. Hypothalamic stimulation caused a 6-8 mm. reflex mydriasis due to sympathetic activity. Evidence suggests that the reflex fibers originating in the gyri proeus, genualis and subcallosus pass through the hypothalamus to the Edinger-Westphal nucleus. The light reflex was abolished during the excitation of the cerebral pupillodilator areas but reappeared following the disappearance of the pupillary dilatation. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 15, 1948
Accession Number
AD0806402

Entities

People

  • William C. Wilson

Organizations

  • United States Army Medical Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anatomy
  • Biological Sciences
  • Brain
  • Excitation
  • Eye Diseases
  • Hypothalamus
  • Inhibition

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Neuroscience