the otic ganglion is a cranial component of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (ans). similar to other parasympathetic ganglia, otic ganglion presents multipolar neurons that are completely surrounded by satellite cells and intercellular substance as well, which allow us to use this ganglion as a good experimental model for studying the relationship neuron / extracellular matrix. we have studied rat otic ganglion in 10 animals through light microscopy. after routine histological methods, 5 μm sections were obtained and coloured by gomori`s trichrome, periodic acid-schiff (pas), alcian blue ph 2.5 and ph1.0, acetylation + pas, acetylation + deacetylation + pas, acid hydrolysis + pas, phenylhydrazine + pas and thiosemicarbazide + pas. the presence of neutral glycoproteins was demonstrated by pas reactivity. pas inhibition following alcian blue staining in ph 2.5 and 1.0 showed the presence of a small quantity of acid glycoprotein. the extracellular matrix analysis showed the presence of neutral and acid glycoconjugates. these findings suggests a mutual interaction and a complex role in ganglionic physiology
