Reticular Formation and Reticulospinal Tract Flashcards
What are the 3 main nuclei of the reticular formation that we need to remember?
Raphe Nuclei, Locus Ceruleus, and Periaqueductal Gray.
What is the reticular formation?
It is a loose network of nuclei and tracts which spans the tegmentum of the brainstem and are clustured primarily along the midline.
What is the Reticulospinal tract?
The most primitive descending motor system, descend ipsilaterally, and terminate in the LMN circuits throughout the length of the spinal cord.
What does the reticulospinal tract do?
It coordinates the muscle group activation for primitive motor behaviors such as the orientation of the body towards or away from a stimulus and motor behaviors that do not require dexterity. Also integrates distal and proximal muscle actions and initiates changes in muscle tone related to voluntary movement of limbs.
What function does the reticular formation have in breathing?
It controls breathing, tonically active neurons from medulla projects to neurons in the spinal cord, which will activate the muscles of breathing.
Where is the Raphe nucleus found and what is it known for (which part specifically)?
It is found as a narrow column of cells in the midline of the brain stem, extending from the medulla to the midbrain. Dorsal Raphe nucleus synthesizes serotonin.
What is the function of the Locus Ceruleus?
Cells in Locus Ceruleus synthesizes nor-epi and sends projections to most brain areas involved in the cortical activation (i.e. sleep/wake function and arousal).
Where is the periaqueductal gray found and what’s special about it?
Bunch of nuclei surrounding the cerebral aqueduct in the midbrain, and opoid receptors are present in many of these nuclei.
How is the reticular formation involved in the emotional motor system?
Reticular formation has a network of neurons that uses monoaminergic neurotransmitters (like serotonin, dopamine, nor-epi) which receives input from the limbic system and together it mediates the expression of emotions (emotional body language).
