A study of ganglion cells in the sympathetic nervous system, with special reference to intrinsic sensory neurones

The existence in the sympathetic nervous system of intrinsic sensory neurones-that is, afferent neurones whose cell-bodies lie in autonomic ganglia-is still one of the unsettled questions of neurology.The conflicting statements found in present day textbooks of human anatomy reflect the lack of agreement on this point among investigators.On the one hand it is held, in conformity with the views of Kolliker and Langley, that all afferent fibers present in the sympathetic nerves are the peripheral processes of neurones whose cell-bodies are found in the spinal ganglia.Such special dorsal-root neurones are believed to send their processes via the rami communicantes into the sympathetic trunks, where they meet with and accompany the efferent postganglionic fibers to their distribution in tissue under control of the autonomic system.The opposing view, supported by Dogiel, while not necessarily denying the presence of afferent cerebrospinal fibers, recognizes in the sympathetic mechanism sensory neurones which belong primarily to that system.These have their trophic centers in the various autonomic ganglia.Their peripherally directed processes terminate in sensory endings in the viscera, etc. ; their centrally directed processes pass through rami communicantes into the ganglia of the dorsal nerve roots, and here form terminal arborizations about; the spinal ganglion