@inbook{220808291ee740b4b30b3d45c03f5761,
title = "Spinal Afferent Innervation of the Uterus",
abstract = "The extrinsic neural innervation of the uterus plays an important role in modulating uterine functions that are critical to reproductive success. Its sensory division serves dual afferent and efferent roles: relaying information on innocuous and noxious stimuli from the uterus to the central nervous system; and regulating uterine smooth muscle activity via local release of neuropeptides. Such sensory innervation is primarily supplied by spinal afferents with nerve cell bodies in thoracolumbar and lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Here, we summarise the neuroanatomy and physiology of spinal afferents innervating the rodent uterus. Findings arising from techniques pioneered in our laboratory are highlighted, which target select DRG for labelling and manipulation of specific spinal afferent populations. Future insights in this field are anticipated to expose new mechanisms related to disorders of uterine sensation, such as dysmenorrhoea. ",
keywords = "Spinal, Innervation, Uterus, Calcitonin gene-related peptide, Female reproductive tract, Spinal ganglia, Pelvic pain",
author = "Dodds, {Kelsi N.} and Spencer, {Nick J.}",
year = "2023",
doi = "10.1007/978-3-031-25702-5_17",
language = "English",
isbn = "9783031257018",
series = "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology",
publisher = "Springer International Publishing",
pages = "223--234",
editor = "Brierley, {Stuart M } and Spencer, {Nick J }",
booktitle = "Visceral Pain",
}