|
Accessory Cuneate Nucleus
The accessory cuneate nucleus (also lateral cuneate nucleus, or external cuneate nucleus) is a nucleus situated in the caudal medulla oblongata just lateral to the cuneate nucleus. It relays unconscious proprioceptive sensory information from the upper limb and upper trunk to the cerebellum via the cuneocerebellar fibers. The neurons of the ACN (as well as those of the lateral portion of the cuneate nucleus) are functionally homologous with the posterior thoracic nucleus; the cuneocerebellar fibers are therefore the upper body functional equivalent of the dorsal spinocerebellar tract. Anatomy Synapses in the ACN are somatotopically organized. Afferents Afferents of the ACN arise from muscle stretch receptors and skin touch receptors of the upper limb; they enter the spinal cord rostral to the posterior thoracic nucleus to ascend in the lateral portion of the cuneate fasciculus. A minority of the fibers of the cuneate fasciculus thus synapse in the ACN. Efferents Effer ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cuneate Nucleus
The dorsal column nuclei are a pair of nuclei in the dorsal columns of the dorsal column–medial lemniscus pathway (DCML) in the brainstem. The name refers collectively to the cuneate nucleus and gracile nucleus, which are situated at the lower end of the medulla oblongata. Both nuclei contain second-order neurons of the DCML, which convey fine touch and proprioceptive information from the body to the brain via the thalamus. Structure Nerve pathways The dorsal column nuclei each have an associated nerve tract in the spinal cord, the gracile fasciculus and the cuneate fasciculus, together forming the dorsal columns. Both dorsal column nuclei contain synapses from afferent nerve fibers that have travelled in the spinal cord. They then send on second-order neurons of the dorsal column–medial lemniscal pathway. Neurons of the dorsal column nuclei eventually reach the midbrain and the thalamus. They send axons that form the internal arcuate fibers. These cross over ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stretch Receptor
Stretch receptors are mechanoreceptors responsive to distention of various organs and muscles, and are neurologically linked to the Medulla oblongata, medulla in the brain stem via Afferent nerve fiber, afferent nerve fibers. Examples include stretch receptors in the arm and leg muscles and tendons, in the heart, in the colon wall, and in the lungs. Stretch receptors are also found around the carotid artery, where they monitor blood pressure and stimulate the release of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin, ADH) from the posterior pituitary gland. Types include: * Golgi organ * Muscle spindle, sensory receptors within the belly of a muscle, which primarily detect changes in the length of this muscle * Pulmonary stretch receptors, mechanoreceptors found in the lungs * Chordotonal organ, in insects See also * Stretch sensor * Carotid sinus * Aortic arch * Mechanoreceptor {{biology-stub Sensory receptors ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thalamus
The thalamus (: thalami; from Greek language, Greek Wikt:θάλαμος, θάλαμος, "chamber") is a large mass of gray matter on the lateral wall of the third ventricle forming the wikt:dorsal, dorsal part of the diencephalon (a division of the forebrain). Nerve fibers project out of the thalamus to the cerebral cortex in all directions, known as the thalamocortical radiations, allowing hub (network science), hub-like exchanges of information. It has several functions, such as the relaying of sensory neuron, sensory and motor neuron, motor signals to the cerebral cortex and the regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness. Anatomically, the thalami are paramedian symmetrical structures (left and right), within the vertebrate brain, situated between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain. It forms during embryonic development as the main product of the diencephalon, as first recognized by the Swiss embryologist and anatomist Wilhelm His Sr. in 1893. Anatomy The thalami ar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Medial Lemniscus
The medial lemniscus, also known as Reil's band or Reil's ribbon (for German anatomist Johann Christian Reil), is a large ascending bundle of heavily myelinated axons that decussate in the brainstem The brainstem (or brain stem) is the posterior stalk-like part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. In the human brain the brainstem is composed of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. The midbrain is conti ..., specifically in the medulla oblongata. The medial lemniscus is formed by the crossings of the internal arcuate fibers. The internal arcuate fibers are composed of axons of the gracile nucleus and the cuneate nucleus. The cell bodies of the nuclei lie contralaterally. The medial lemniscus is part of the somatosensory dorsal column–medial lemniscus pathway, which ascends in the spinal cord to the thalamus.Kamali A, Kramer LA, Butler IJ, Hasan KM. Diffusion tensor tractography of the somatosensory system in the human brains ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle
The inferior cerebellar peduncle is formed by fibers of the restiform body that join with fibers from the much smaller juxtarestiform body. The inferior cerebellar peduncle is the smallest of the three cerebellar peduncles. The upper part of the posterior district of the medulla oblongata is occupied by the inferior cerebellar peduncle, a thick rope-like strand situated between the lower part of the fourth ventricle and the roots of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. Each cerebellar inferior peduncle connects the spinal cord and medulla oblongata with the cerebellum, and comprises the juxtarestiform body and restiform body. Important fibers running through the inferior cerebellar peduncle include the dorsal spinocerebellar tract and axons from the inferior olivary nucleus, among others. Function The inferior cerebellar peduncle carries many types of input and output fibers that are mainly concerned with integrating proprioceptive sensory input with motor vestibular ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cuneocerebellar
The spinocerebellar tracts are nerve tracts originating in the spinal cord and terminating in the same side (ipsilateral) of the cerebellum. The two main tracts are the dorsal spinocerebellar tract, and the ventral spinocerebellar tract. Both of these tracts are located in the peripheral region of the lateral funiculi (white matter columns). Other tracts are the rostral spinocerebellar tract, and the cuneocerebellar tract (posterior external arcuate fibers). They carry proprioceptive, and cutaneous information to the cerebellum, where movement can be coordinated. Origins of proprioceptive information Proprioceptive information is obtained by Golgi tendon organs and muscle spindles. * Golgi tendon organs consist of a fibrous capsule enclosing tendon fascicles and bare nerve endings that respond to tension in the tendon by causing action potentials in type Ib afferents. These fibers are relatively large, myelinated, and quickly conducting. * Muscle spindles monitor the length w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cuneate Fasciculus
Cuneate means "wedge-shaped", and can apply to: * Cuneate leaf, a leaf shape * Cuneate nucleus The dorsal column nuclei are a pair of nuclei in the dorsal columns of the dorsal column–medial lemniscus pathway (DCML) in the brainstem. The name refers collectively to the cuneate nucleus and gracile nucleus, which are situated at the l ..., a part of the brainstem * Cuneate fasciculus, a tract from the spinal cord into the brainstem {{disambiguation ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Touch Receptor
The somatosensory system, or somatic sensory system is a subset of the sensory nervous system. The main functions of the somatosensory system are the perception of external stimuli, the perception of internal stimuli, and the regulation of body position and balance (proprioception). It is believed to act as a pathway between the different sensory modalities within the body. As of 2024 debate continued on the underlying mechanisms, correctness and validity of the somatosensory system model, and whether it impacts emotions in the body. The somatosensory system has been thought of as having two subdivisions; *one for the detection of mechanosensory information related to touch. Mechanosensory information includes that of light touch, vibration, pressure and tension in the skin. Much of this information belongs to the sense of touch which is a general somatic sense in contrast to the special senses of sight, smell, taste, hearing, and balance. * one for the nociception detecti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Somatotopic Arrangement
Somatotopy is the point-for-point correspondence of an area of the body to a specific point on the central nervous system. Typically, the area of the body corresponds to a point on the primary somatosensory cortex (postcentral gyrus). This cortex is typically represented as a sensory homunculus which orients the specific body parts and their respective locations upon the homunculus. Areas such as the appendages, digits, penis, and face can draw their sensory locations upon the somatosensory cortex. The areas which are finely controlled (e.g., the digits) have larger portions of the somatosensory cortex whereas areas which are coarsely controlled (e.g., the trunk) have smaller portions. Areas such as the viscera do not have sensory locations on the postcentral gyrus. Macaques, a kind of monkey, already exhibit somatotopy in their somatosensory and motor systems at birth. Sensorimotor mapping of the human cerebellum Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to det ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Medulla Oblongata
The medulla oblongata or simply medulla is a long stem-like structure which makes up the lower part of the brainstem. It is anterior and partially inferior to the cerebellum. It is a cone-shaped neuronal mass responsible for autonomic (involuntary) functions, ranging from vomiting to sneezing. The medulla contains the cardiovascular center, the respiratory center, vomiting and vasomotor centers, responsible for the autonomic functions of breathing, heart rate and blood pressure as well as the sleep–wake cycle. "Medulla" is from Latin, ‘pith or marrow’. And "oblongata" is from Latin, ‘lengthened or longish or elongated'. During embryonic development, the medulla oblongata develops from the myelencephalon. The myelencephalon is a secondary brain vesicle which forms during the maturation of the rhombencephalon, also referred to as the hindbrain. The bulb is an archaic term for the medulla oblongata. In modern clinical usage, the word bulbar (as in bulbar palsy) is r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract
The spinocerebellar tracts are nerve tracts originating in the spinal cord and terminating in the same side ( ipsilateral) of the cerebellum. The two main tracts are the dorsal spinocerebellar tract, and the ventral spinocerebellar tract. Both of these tracts are located in the peripheral region of the lateral funiculi (white matter columns). Other tracts are the rostral spinocerebellar tract, and the cuneocerebellar tract (posterior external arcuate fibers). They carry proprioceptive, and cutaneous information to the cerebellum, where movement can be coordinated. Origins of proprioceptive information Proprioceptive information is obtained by Golgi tendon organs and muscle spindles. * Golgi tendon organs consist of a fibrous capsule enclosing tendon fascicles and bare nerve endings that respond to tension in the tendon by causing action potentials in type Ib afferents. These fibers are relatively large, myelinated, and quickly conducting. * Muscle spindles monitor the le ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
