Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve

    A group of nuclei in the pons and medulla oblongata consisting of the spinal nucleus, which extends inferiorly into the spinal cord, the main nucleus, which lies dorsal and lateral to the motor nucleus, and the mesencephalic nucleus, which lies in the lateral wall of the fourth ventricle.  

  • Sensory nucleus

    The nucleus of termination of the afferent fibers of a peripheral nerve.  

  • Segmentation nucleus

    The nucleus of a zygote formed by fusion of the male and female pronuclei.  

  • Reticular nucleus

    A column of neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem, and thalamus affecting local reflex activity, muscle tone, and wakefulness.  

  • Red nucleus

    A large, oval, pigmented mass in the upper portion of the midbrain extending upward into the subthalamus. It receives fibers from the cerebral cortex and cerebellum; the efferent fibers give rise to the rubrospinal tracts.  

  • Principal trigeminal sensory nucleus

    The site of sensory neurons of the trigeminal nerve associated with discriminatory touch. It is located in the pons.  

  • Pontine nucleus

    One of several groups of nerve cells located in the pons. It transmits afferent fibers to the cerebral cortex; efferent fibers pass through the brachium pontis to the cerebellum.  

  • Paraventricular nucleus

    A nucleus of the hypothalamus lying in the supraoptic portion. Its axons, along with those of the supraoptic nucleus, form the supraopticohypophyseal tract. The cells of this tract regulate water balance in the body, secreting vasopressin, the antidiuretic hormone, which is stored in their axon terminals in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Its…

  • Nucleus of origin

    Any of the collection of nerve cells giving rise to the fibers of a nerve or nerve tract.  

  • Oculomotor nucleus

    A nucleus in the central gray matter of the midbrain lying below the rostral end of the cerebral aqueduct.