Meeting Abstract

P3.169  Sunday, Jan. 6  Sensorimotor integration during feeding: Effects of transection of the lingual nerves on jaw movements during chewing in pigs MONTUELLE, SJ; SIDOTE, J; RETTIG, M; DAVIS, JS; WILLIAMS, SH*; Ohio University; Ohio University; Ohio University; Ohio University; Ohio University willias7@ohio.edu

While the tongue plays a crucial role in proper positioning of food in the oral cavity, its movements are also coordinated with those of other oral structures, such as the jaws, during feeding. Thus, diminished tongue sensation due to lingual nerve injury may affect the coordination of tongue and jaw movements during chewing. Here, we investigate the functional consequences of lingual nerve transection on jaw movements during chewing in pigs (Sus scrofa). Our hypothesis is that lingual nerve injury will result in changes in the kinematics of the jaw movements during intraoral food processing. Radiopaque markers were implanted in the jaw and skull to quantify jaw movements in 3 dimensions from biplanar high speed fluoroscopy movies of pigs feeding on various foods before and after lingual nerve transections. Our results show that loss of sensation from of the anterior part of the tongue affects the movements of the jaw during feeding as well as the overall feeding behavior. While normal jaw movements during feeding in pigs are characterized by significant mediolateral displacement, jaw movements after bilateral nerve transection are primarily dorsoventral with little mediolateral displacement. Moreover, feeding cycles are longer in the treatment animals. Mediolateral movement of the jaw during feeding is important, especially during the power stroke when food is broken down. Without the sensory information from the tongue, we propose that pigs are unable to precisely locate the bolus within the oral cavity and place it on the teeth. Longer gape cycles after sensory deprivation also suggests that pigs may be more careful in their feeding movements to avoid injury.