[Localization and distribution pattern in trigeminal ganglia for the acupoints of governor vessel on the head and face based on neurotracing]
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Published on: December 19, 2025
Zhen Zhang1, Teng He1, Jinglan Yan2
1Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of TCM, Jinan 250355, China; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation, Shandong University of TCM, Jinan 250355, China.
Objective:
To investigate the localization and distribution pattern in trigeminal ganglion (TG) for the acupoints of the governor vessel on the head and face based on neurotracing, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the theory, "the governor vessel enters the brain".
Methods:
SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were collected in three-part experiment. In the first part, 9 mice were randomly collected and divided into Shuigou (GV26) group, Baihui (GV20) group, and Yintang (GV24+) group, 3 mice in each one. Fluorogold (FG) was injected into these points, respectively. The expression of the tracer in TG and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was observed. In the second part, 3 mice were randomly collected and FG was injected into "Shuigou" (GV26), the carbocyanine green dye Dio was injected into "Baihui" (GV20), and the carbocyanine red dye Dil was injected into "Yintang" (GV24+). The expression of the above 3 tracers was observed in the same mouse. In the third part, according to different branches of the trigeminal nerve, "Yintang" (GV24+) (ophthalmic branch, V1), "Shuigou" (GV26) (maxillary branch, V2) and "Lianquan" (CV23) (mandibular branch, V3) were selected and Dio, FG and Dil were injected, respectively. The expression of these 3 tracers was observed. Seven days after injection, after perfusion and fixation, TG and DRG were harvested for frozen sectioning, and the expression of tracers was observed in TG and DRG.
Results:
(1) FG density in TG was higher in the Yintang (GV24+) group, compared with that in the Shuigou (GV26) group and the Baihui (GV20) group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and FG density in the Baihui (GV20) group was higher the than that in Shuigou (GV26) group (P<0.05). The tracer in DRG was expressed in the Baihui (GV20) group, but absent in the Yintang (GV24+) group and the Shuigou (GV26) group. FG density in the 2nd DRG (DRG2) was higher than that in the 1st DRG (DRG1) and the 3rd one (DRG3) in the Baihui (GV20) group (P<0.01). (2) After tracer injection into "Baihui" (GV20) and "Yintang" (GV24+), a great number of co-labeling were observed in the head lateral region of TG. The tracer in "Shuigou" (GV26) was not co-labled with "Baihui" (GV20) and "Yintang" (GV24+). (3) After tracer injection, the positive expressed neurons in "Yintang" (GV24+) were more than those in "Shuigou" (GV26) and "Lianquan" (CV23). The positive expressed neurons in "Lianquan" (CV23) were not distributed in the same region as "Yintang" (GV24+) and "Shuigou" (GV26).
Conclusion:
There is a specific neuronal distribution pattern in the TG and some DRG for the acupoints of the governor vessel on the head and face. The findings provide a relatively clear neuroanatomical basis for the theory, "the governor vessel enters the brain", and the mechanism of acupuncture in treatment of diseases through the governor vessel.
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