Caudal pontine reticular nucleus
Encyclopedia
The caudal pontine reticular nucleus or nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis is composed of gigantocellular neurons.
In rabbits and cats it is exclusively giant cells, however in humans there are normally sized cells as well.
The nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis is rostral to the gigantocellular nucleus
and is located in the caudal pons
, as the name would indicate.
The nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis has been known to mediate head movement, in concert with the nucleus gigantocellularis and the superior colliculus
.
The neurons in the dorsal half of this nucleus fire rhythmically during mastication
, and in an anesthetized animal it is possible to induce mastication via electrical stimulation of the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis or adjacent areas of the gigantocellular nucleus.
The nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis is also thought to play a role in the grinding of teeth during sleep.
In rabbits and cats it is exclusively giant cells, however in humans there are normally sized cells as well.
The nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis is rostral to the gigantocellular nucleus
Gigantocellular nucleus
The gigantocellular nucleus, as the name indicates, is mainly composed of the so called giant neuronal cells.This nucleus has been known to innervate the caudal hypoglossal nucleus, and responds to glutamateric stimuli....
and is located in the caudal pons
Pons
The pons is a structure located on the brain stem, named after the Latin word for "bridge" or the 16th-century Italian anatomist and surgeon Costanzo Varolio . It is superior to the medulla oblongata, inferior to the midbrain, and ventral to the cerebellum. In humans and other bipeds this means it...
, as the name would indicate.
The nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis has been known to mediate head movement, in concert with the nucleus gigantocellularis and the superior colliculus
Superior colliculus
The optic tectum or simply tectum is a paired structure that forms a major component of the vertebrate midbrain. In mammals this structure is more commonly called the superior colliculus , but, even in mammals, the adjective tectal is commonly used. The tectum is a layered structure, with a...
.
The neurons in the dorsal half of this nucleus fire rhythmically during mastication
Mastication
Mastication or chewing is the process by which food is crushed and ground by teeth. It is the first step of digestion and it increases the surface area of foods to allow more efficient break down by enzymes. During the mastication process, the food is positioned between the teeth for grinding by...
, and in an anesthetized animal it is possible to induce mastication via electrical stimulation of the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis or adjacent areas of the gigantocellular nucleus.
The nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis is also thought to play a role in the grinding of teeth during sleep.
External links
- NIF Search - Caudal Pontine Reticular Nucleus via the Neuroscience Information FrameworkNeuroscience Information FrameworkThe Neuroscience Information Framework is a repository of global neuroscience web resources, including experimental, clinical, and translational neuroscience databases, knowledge bases, atlases, and genetic/genomic resources.-Description:...