pyloric nerve (sensu Cancer borealis)

The pyloric nerve in Cancer borealis is a peripheral nerve of the stomatogastric nervous system that innervates the pyloric region of the stomach. It carries motor neuron axons from the stomatogastric ganglion to the muscles that control the pyloric valves and constrictor muscles, which are responsible for filtering and moving food in the crustacean foregut.

In Cancer borealis, the pyloric nerve exits the stomatogastric ganglion and projects to the pyloric stomach, which is the posterior compartment of the foregut. Along with other ventricular nerves, it forms part of the peripheral innervation of the crustacean digestive system.

The pyloric nerve is involved in transmitting motor commands from pyloric circuit neurons in the stomatogastric ganglion to the muscles of the pyloric stomach. This drives the rhythmic pyloric movements that filter food particles and regulate the passage of material between the gastric mill and the hindgut of Cancer borealis.

In experimental contexts, manipulation of the pyloric circuit through pharmacological application, stomatogastric nerve transection, or thermal changes may be associated with altered activity in the pyloric nerve. The pyloric rhythm recorded from this nerve is commonly used as a readout of central pattern generator activity in stomatogastric neuroscience research.

The pyloric nerve is most commonly examined using extracellular suction electrode recordings in dissected stomatogastric nervous system preparations of Cancer borealis. Recording from this nerve provides a reliable readout of the pyloric rhythm. Anatomical characterization uses dye fills to trace individual motor neuron axons and immunohistochemistry to identify neurotransmitter phenotypes.