Brainstem Visceral Nuclei

CLOSE

Figure 18—7. Locations of brainstem neurons involved with visceral regulation, including control of breathing/coughing (orange), are shown schematically. Selected nuclei/regions are illustrated bilaterally or unilaterally in transverse (left), dorsal (right), and sagittal (top) views of the brainstem. Preganglionic parasympathetic nuclei (p.) of cranial nerves III, VII, IX and X are green, including cardiac visceral efferent neurons within the nucleus ambiguus. The nucleus of the solitary tract (red) receives visceral afferent axons from cranial nerves. Locations of selected visceral relay and premotor neurons are shown in yellow. RVLM & CVLM = rostral & caudal ventrolateral medulla (the latter inhibits the former which elevates blood pressure and receives axons from the midbrain cuneiform nucleus). The lateral parabrachial nucleus relays visceral information to the periaqueductal gray matter and hypothalamus which send axons to the micturition center to effect urination. DRG & VRG = dorsal and ventral respiratory groups, which drive the phrenic nerve.

Go Top