Periodontal Jaw Muscle Reflexes in the Albino Rat

Abstract

Pressing or tapping stimulation on the maxillary incisor activated the jaw muscles, especially the masseter muscle, in an anesthetized albino rat. Periodontal jaw muscle reflexes involved two reflex pathways passing through the mesencephalic tract nucleus and the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. The mechanoreceptors in periodontal ligaments contributed to an increase in the jaw muscle activity.