[Neural control of saliva secretion. Review of questions on special neurosecretory functions of the facial nerve].

Fifty years ago, anatomists and physiologists still held the opinion that the N. facialis had a purely motor fuction without any sensory or secretory components. With respect to the previously only occasionally mentioned possibility of an additional neurosecretory function of the N. facialis, clinical and experimental, especially neurophysiological research and experiences of the last five decades have however led to results which are being discussed under particular consideration of the neural control of salivary secretion. In this connection, side-functions are discussed that are just appearing in outlines and have not yet been fully cleared up, for example questions regarding an internal secretion of certain parts of the facial nerve, especially related to the patotid gland. In connection with this question, the author considered it necessary to refer to some medical-historical findings of earlier times.