General Visceral Afferent Neurons

The receptors of the general visceral afferent (GVA) system are found within the viscera of the body and respond to a variety of stimuli, e.g. stretch and distention of the viscera, chemical and temperature, changes in the environment, and movement of the viscera.

These GVA neurons in the abdomen and pelvis enter the vagus (X) nerve and ascend to the nucleus of the solitary tract in the brainstem as well as forming reflex arcs with general visceral efferent (GVE) neurons.

11.3