What is pontine reticular formation?

The paramedian pontine reticular formation, also known as PPRF or paraabducens nucleus, is part of the pontine reticular formation, a brain region without clearly defined borders in the center of the pons. It is involved in the coordination of eye movements, particularly horizontal gaze and saccades.

What is the role of the reticular formation in the brainstem?

The brainstem reticular formation (RF) represents the archaic core of those pathways connecting the spinal cord and the encephalon. It subserves autonomic, motor, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, and mood-related functions.

What are the two important functions of reticular formation?

The overall functions of the reticular formation are modulatory and premotor, involving somatic motor control, cardiovascular control, pain modulation, sleep and consciousness, and habituation.

Where is Ras located?

The RAS and its associated structures exist primarily within the hypothalamus and brainstem.

What is a reticular formation?

The reticular formation is a complex network of brainstem nuclei and neurons that serve as a major integration and relay center for many vital brain systems to coordinate functions necessary for survival.

What controls the paramedian pontine reticular formation?

The paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF), ventral to the abducens nucleus, contains premotor neurons that control horizontal conjugate eye movements.

How is the reticular formation formed?

The reticular (from the Latin reticulum, meaning net) formation is a far-reaching network of neurons extending from the spinal cord to the thalamus, with connections to the medulla oblongata, midbrain (mesencephalon), pons, and diencephalon.

What is part of reticular formation?

Structure and Function. The reticular formation is made up of a net-like structure of various brainstem nuclei and neurons and covers an expansive portion of the brainstem, beginning in the mesencephalon, extending caudally through the medulla oblongata, and projecting into the superior cervical spinal cord segments.

What forms the reticular formation?

The reticular formation is composed of a network of diffuse aggregations of neurons distributed throughout the central parts of the medulla, pons, and midbrain. It fills the spaces between cranial nerve nuclei and olivary bodies and intermixes between ascending and descending fiber tracts.

What does reticular formation do?

Reticular formation circuitry helps to coordinate the activity of neurons in these cranial nerve nuclei, and thus is involved in the regulation of simple motor behaviors. For example, reticular formation neurons in the medulla facilitate motor activity associated with the vagus nerve.

What is reticular system?

The reticular activating system (RAS) is a network of neurons located in the brain stem that project anteriorly to the hypothalamus to mediate behavior, as well as both posteriorly to the thalamus and directly to the cortex for activation of awake, desynchronized cortical EEG patterns.

What is an example of reticular formation?

The reticular formation also plays a role in controlling the muscles of facial expression when associated with emotion. For example, when you smile or laugh in response to a joke, the motor control to your facial muscles is provided by the reticular formation on both sides of the brain.

What is the main function of reticular formation?

The reticular formation is a comprehensive network of nerves found in the central area of the brainstem. It’s involved in many of the essential functions of the body, such as the ability to obtain recuperative sleep, sexual arousal, and the ability to focus on tasks without being easily distracted.

Is the reticular formation part of the brain stem?

The reticular formation is a portion of the brain that is located in the central core of the brain stem. It passes through the medulla, pons , and stops in the midbrain.

Is the reticular formation part of the brainstem?

The reticular formation is found in the brainstem, at the center of an area of the brainstem known as the tegmentum.