Electrophysiologic studies of the facial reflexes of the dog

Reflexes associated with the trigeminal and facial nerves were investigated electromyographically in 14 barbiturate-anesthetized dogs. Using subcutaneous needle electrodes, electrical stimulation of the infraorbital, frontal, and zygomaticofacial branches of the trigeminal nerve produced reflex contractions of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. Cutaneous and subcutaneous electrical stimulation of the internal auricular branches of the facial nerve also produced reflex contractions of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. After sectioning of this branch between the vagus and facial nerves, electrical stimulation of the proximal portion of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve produced reflex contractions of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. After sectioning of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve; electrical stimulation of the proximal portion of the caudal and middle internal auricular nerves did not produce reflex contractions of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. Subcutaneous electrical stimulation of the palpebral nerve produced reflex contractions and direct-evoked muscle activity of the orbicularis oculi muscle. Subcutaneous electrical stimulation of the infraorbital and middle mental nerves produced reflex contractions of the rostral belly of the digastricus muscle.