Arcuate nucleus (medulla)

This article is about the structure in the medulla oblongata. For the hypothalamic structure, see Arcuate nucleus (hypothalamus).

Arcuate nucleus (medulla)
Transverse section of medulla oblongata below the middle of the olive. ("Nucleus arcuatus" visible near bottom right.)
Dissection of brain-stem. Lateral view. (Labels for "External arcuate fibers" and "Dorsal external arcuate fibers" visible at lower right.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	nucleus arcuatus medullae oblongatae
NeuroNames	775
NeuroLex ID	birnlex_2635
TA98	A14.1.04.256
TA2	6016
FMA	72609
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy [ edit on Wikidata]

In the medulla oblongata, the arcuate nucleus is a group of neurons located on the anterior surface of the medullary pyramids. These nuclei are the extension of the pontine nuclei. ^[1]

They receive afferents from the corticospinal tract.^{[ citation needed ]}

They in turn project efferents into the cerebellum through the inferior cerebellar peduncle as: ^[1]

• the anterior internal arcuate fibers which pass along the midline before decussating near the rhomboid fossa (floor of fourth ventricle) then passing laterally as the medullary striae;
• the anterior external arcuate fibers.

Function

Arcuate nuclei are capable of chemosensitivity and have a proven role in the respiratory center controlling the breathing rate. ^[2]

Additional images

• 
  Diagram showing the course of the arcuate fibers.
• 
  The formatio reticularis of the medulla oblongata, shown by a transverse section passing through the middle of the olive.

External links

• MedEd at Loyola Neuro/frames/nlBSs/nl31fr.htm
• PubMed article

References

1. Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42th ed.). New York: Elsevier. p. 445.e1. ISBN   978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC   1201341621.
2. Paradiso, B; Ferrero, S; Thiene, G; Lavezzi, AM (November 2018). "Variability of the medullary arcuate nucleus in humans". Brain and Behavior. 8 (11): e01133. doi:10.1002/brb3.1133. hdl: 11577/3281424 . PMC   6236238 . PMID   30329220.