Myelencephalon

Question 1

Myelencephalon (or medulla)

Answer 1

The most posterior division of the brain, is composed largely of tracts carrying signals between the rest of the brain and body.

Question 2

Reticular formation

Answer 2

Part of the myelencephalon. A complex network of about 100 tiny nuclei that occupies the central core of the brain stem from the posterior boundary of the myelencephalon to the anterior boundary of the medulla.

Question 3

Reticular formation (2)

Answer 3

It is so named because of its netlike appearance (reticulum means little net). Sometimes, the reticular formation is referred to as the reticular activating system because parts of it seem to play a role in arousal.

Question 4

Some of the reticular formation functions

Answer 4

The various nuclei are involved in a variety of functions- including sleep, attention, movement, the maintenance of muscle, and various cardiac, circulatory, and respiratory reflexes.

Accordingly, referring to this collection of nuclei as a system can be misleading.