Pathways for the Secretory Fibers of the Salivary Glands in Man

The rates of secretion of the salivary glands in man after unilateral section of the ninth nerve and chorda tympani indicate peripheral pathways for secretory fibers to these glands other than those accepted. 2. Section of the ninth nerve intra-cranially causes marked temporary diminution of salivation with partial recovery involving parotid, sublingual and submaxillary glands. 3. Section of the chorda tympani in the tympanic membrane causes marked permanent diminution of salivation involving the parotid, sublingual and submaxillary glands. 4. Therefore, it is concluded that the salivary glands receive their secretory fibers from both the seventh and ninth nerves.