reticular formation Flashcards
function of the reticular formation
- tasks involve nervous system as a whole
- functions are integrative
integrative functions of reticular formation include:
- sleep
- wakefulness
- alertness
- consciousness
- coordination of visceral functions (homeostasis)
- responses to pain/pain modulation
- body posture
- mental state
reticular formation defined as
gray matter that composes the core of the brain stem
- excluding cranial nerve nuclei and ascending and descending tracts)
reticular formation consists of
networks and branched neurons
reticular formation is
- related to many other parts of the nervous system
- the nuclei are not as clearly defined histologically
- phylogenetically old system
connections of the reticular formation
- afferent connections
- efferent connections
- reticular formation has integrative function
afferent connections to reticular formation
- all sensory systems (not specific)
- many other areas
efferent connections of reticular formation
very widespread
location of reticular formation
- near the center
- anterior to the ventricular system
- in the core of the brain stem
neuronal organization of the reticular formation
- large and small cells
- dendritic web of large cells = perpendicular to axis of brain stem
- projection neurons have long axons
- pathways are diffuse
- the cell bodies and axons are below the brainstem
axons of the neuronal projections of reticular formation
- ascend and descend
- have numerous collaterals
- make very large number of synaptic connections
general function of the reticular formation
- axons and dendrites pick up information
- ascending, descending tracts
- take general information from all kinds of places to the brain stem
the ascending axons has branches that go to
- PAG
- thalamus
- hypothalamus
the descending axons has branches that go to
- nucleus gracilis
- medulla
- etc.
configurations of the neurons of reticular formation
left: 2 neurons, opposite direction of movement, collateral extensions to communicate with each other
right: 1 neuron, with 2 branches that go up and down with collateral extension
serotonergic nuclei
raphe nucleus
- serotonin neurotransmitter
- project to thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, cortex, spinal cord, cerebellum
raphe nuclei
- in midline of medulla, pons, midbrain
- serotonergic
- efferent branches reach many parts of NS including spinal cord
locus ceruleus nuclei
- nucleus of noradrenergic pathways
- send to hippocampus, basal ganglia, cortex, cerebellum
- near mesencephalic V under superior cerebellar peduncle
- efferent branches reach many parts of the NS