Reticular formation

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

mass of neurons and nerve fibers extending from the medulla to the midbrain

Question 2

Nuclei of reticular formation in brain stem

Answer 2

Lateral: cuneiform, subcuneiform, peduculopontine, parvicellular reticular
Central: oral pontine reticular n, caudal pontine reticular n., gigantocellular reticular n., ventral reticular n.
Raphe: dorsal and ventral tegmental, nucleus linearis, superior central, nucleus raphe magnus, nucleus raphe pallidus, nucleus raphe obscurus
Precerebellar: pontine reticulotegmental, paramedian reticular, lateral reticular

Question 3

Afferent connections

Answer 3

sensory sytem: all except medial leminiscus
Spinal cord: spinoreticular fibers
Cerebral cortex: motor and sensory area- corticoreticular
Cerebellum: from nucleus fastigi
Brain stem: lateral hypothalamus, superior colliculus
basal ganglia: pallidum

Question 4

Efferent connections

Answer 4

Ascending:
-cerebral cortex
-locus ceruleus
Descending: 
-spinal cord: medial and lateral reticulospinal tract
-cranial nerve nuclei
Local connections

Question 5

Functions of RF

Answer 5

Somatic motor function
Somatic sensory function
Visceral motor function:
- medial: inspiration, depressor circulation
- lateral: expiration, pressor circulation

Question 6

Function of RAS

Answer 6

Activation: via diencephalic nuclei-alertness, learning
Disactivity: somnolence