On the Innervation of the Submaxillary Gland Cells in Cats

Summary. The opinion usually given in the literature that in the sub‐maxillary gland of the cat one group of secretory cells is controlled by parasympathetic, another by sympathetic fibres has been tested experimentally. When the gland is secreting in response to supramaximal stimulation of the chorda tympani sympathetic stimulation does not further accelerate the flow, even if it is able to cause an abundant flow of saliva when given alone. The results of the experiments do not agree with the current conception of the innervation but support the view of Langenskiöld (1941), founded on electrophysiological investigations, that “all secretory cells in the submaxillary gland that are innervated by the sympathetic are also innervated by the chorda”.