pH sensitivity of cells located at the ventrolateral surface of the cat medulla oblongata in vitro

Abstract

pH sensitivity of cells located at the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata was examined in a thin brain slice of the cat in vitro and the following results were obtained: (1) Transmembrane potential of the surface cells located in the area medial to the XIIth cranial nerve was reduced slightly by application of low pH solution; (2) In the rostral part of the area medial to the XIIth cranial nerve regular neuronal discharges could be observed extracellularly. The rate of firing of these cells was increased by lowering the external pH. These results were considered to support the idea the H+ receptor cells may exist in the surface layer of the ventral medulla.