Cajal's prophetic functional considerations on respiratory reflexes: new questions about old answers

In the "Histology of the Nervous System" (Histologie, Spanish edition, 1899, 1904; French translation, 1909, 1911; all citations are from the American translation, 1995) Cajal did not only describe the origins and central pathways of cranial nerves but his detailed observations led him to numerous conclusions about the functional organization of brainstem reflexes. From studies of vagal and glossopharyngeal afferents he proposed a structural organization of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). His view has been considerably changed by several authors on the basis of modern tracing studies. However, detailed histological examinations of functionally identified sensory fibers provided new understanding of a functional organization of the solitary nucleus that is very well in line with Cajal's original descriptions. The prophetic character of Cajal's concepts of structural-functional relations becomes even more evident by a reconsideration of his explanations of the reflexes underlying respiration, coughing and vomiting. Recent electrophysiological studies of spontaneously rhythmically active in vitro preparations have provided us with new insights in respiratory control. However, it appears that quite a number of Cajal's key questions concerning respiratory reflexes are still not solved. Therefore, a reconsideration of old and partly forgotten concepts might indeed provide a novel understanding of the structural and functional organization of brainstem reflexes.