Biomaterial Database

Neuroanatomy of the oculomotor system. The reticular formation. 1988

J A Büttner-Ennever, and U Büttner

Institute of Neuropathology, University of Munich, F.R.G.

The afferent and efferent connections of specific subdivisions of the reticular formation involved in the control of gaze are reviewed. Three regions of the medial brainstem reticular formation: the paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF), the dorsomedial rostral medullary reticular formation and the rostral interstitial nucleus of the MLF (riMLF) have direct projections to the extraocular motor nuclei, and play a well-defined role in the generation of saccadic eye movements only. The interstitial nucleus of Cajal (iC) also has direct premotor control of vertical extraocular motoneurons and is probably involved in the maintenance of vertical eye position. Reticulospinal neurons, which modulate the activity of neck and postural musculature, originate from all these regions. The neuroanatomy of other cell groups associated with the reticular formation are also described: the central mesencephalic reticular formation (cMRF), the posterior commissure nuclear complex (nPC), nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis (nrtp), nucleus intercalatus (nic), nucleus of Roller (Ro) and nucleus interfascicularis hypoglossi (ifh), nucleus supragenualis (sg) and finally the cell groups lying within the paramedian tracts (pmt) of the pons and medulla. These have diverse and generally less well understood roles in the control of gaze.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009046	Motor Neurons	Neurons which activate MUSCLE CELLS.	Neurons, Motor,Alpha Motorneurons,Motoneurons,Motor Neurons, Alpha,Neurons, Alpha Motor,Alpha Motor Neuron,Alpha Motor Neurons,Alpha Motorneuron,Motoneuron,Motor Neuron,Motor Neuron, Alpha,Motorneuron, Alpha,Motorneurons, Alpha,Neuron, Alpha Motor,Neuron, Motor
D009626	Terminology as Topic	Works about the terms, expressions, designations, or symbols used in a particular science, discipline, or specialized subject area.	Etymology,Nomenclature as Topic,Etymologies
D011149	Pons	The front part of the hindbrain (RHOMBENCEPHALON) that lies between the MEDULLA and the midbrain (MESENCEPHALON) ventral to the cerebellum. It is composed of two parts, the dorsal and the ventral. The pons serves as a relay station for neural pathways between the CEREBELLUM to the CEREBRUM.	Pons Varolii,Ponte,Pons Varolius,Pontes,Varolii, Pons,Varolius, Pons
D012154	Reticular Formation	A region extending from the PONS & MEDULLA OBLONGATA through the MESENCEPHALON, characterized by a diversity of neurons of various sizes and shapes, arranged in different aggregations and enmeshed in a complicated fiber network.	Formation, Reticular,Formations, Reticular,Reticular Formations
D004525	Efferent Pathways	Nerve structures through which impulses are conducted from a nerve center toward a peripheral site. Such impulses are conducted via efferent neurons (NEURONS, EFFERENT), such as MOTOR NEURONS, autonomic neurons, and hypophyseal neurons.	Motor Pathways,Efferent Pathway,Pathway, Efferent,Pathways, Efferent
D005133	Eye Movements	Voluntary or reflex-controlled movements of the eye.	Eye Movement,Movement, Eye,Movements, Eye
D000344	Afferent Pathways	Nerve structures through which impulses are conducted from a peripheral part toward a nerve center.	Afferent Pathway,Pathway, Afferent,Pathways, Afferent
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia