Neck muscles innervation patterns in the northern leopard frog (Rana P. pipiens)

The motor innervation patterns of neck and middle ear muscles were investigated in 24 northern leopard frogs (Rana p. pipiens) using the horseradish peroxidase retrograde tracing technique. The results show that various neck muscles were innervated by motoneurons in medial motor column of the ventral horn extending from the second to third spinal nerves, and positioned medially to the lateral motor column (LMC). Middle ear muscle, on the other hand, was innervated by motoneurons in LMC.