A report on Brainstem and Locus coeruleus

The three distinct parts of the brainstem are colored in this sagittal section of a human brain.
Rhomboid fossa. (Locus coeruleus not labeled, but is very near [just lateral to] the colliculus facialis, which is labeled at center left.)
3D Medical Animation Still Shot Showing Different Parts of Mid-Brain
Locus coeruleus and its influence pathways
Diagram showing the position of the colliculi. Superior shown in green and inferior in orange.
View of midbrain showing covering tectum and tegmental floor
The appearance of a cadaveric brainstem from the front, with major parts labelled
The appearance of a cadaveric brainstem from behind, with major parts labelled
The brainstem receives blood via the vertebral arteries, shown here.
A cross-section of the brainstem showing the multiple nuclei of the ten pairs of cranial nerves that emerge from it
Cross-section of the midbrain at the level of the superior colliculus
Cross-section of the midbrain at the level of the inferior colliculus
Cross-section of the middle pons (at the level of cranial nerve V)
Cross-section of the inferior pons (at the level of the facial genu)
Cross-section of the rostral (superior) medulla
Cross-section of the middle medulla
Cross-section of the inferior medulla
The midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata are labelled on this coronal section of the human brain.
thumb|3D visualization of the brainstem in an average human brain

The locus coeruleus (LC), also spelled locus caeruleus or locus ceruleus, is a nucleus in the pons of the brainstem involved with physiological responses to stress and panic.

- Locus coeruleus

Reticular formation: This is a large area in the midbrain that is involved in various important functions of the midbrain. In particular, it contains lower motor neurons, is involved in the pain desensitization pathway, is involved in the arousal and consciousness systems, and contains the locus coeruleus, which is involved in intensive alertness modulation and in autonomic reflexes.

- Brainstem
The three distinct parts of the brainstem are colored in this sagittal section of a human brain.

2 related topics with Alpha

Overall
Coronal section of the pons, at its upper part. (Formatio reticularis labeled at left.)

Reticular formation

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Coronal section of the pons, at its upper part. (Formatio reticularis labeled at left.)
A cross section of the lower part of the pons showing the pontine reticular formation labeled as #9
Ascending reticular activating system. Reticular formation labeled near center.
Spinal cord tracts - reticulospinal tract labeled in red, near-center at left in figure

The reticular formation is a set of interconnected nuclei that are located throughout the brainstem.

The adrenergic component of the reticular activating system is closely associated with the noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus.

Transverse section of mid-brain at level of superior colliculi. (Tegmentum labeled at center right.)

Ventral tegmental area

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Latin for covering), also known as the ventral tegmental area of Tsai, or simply ventral tegmentum, is a group of neurons located close to the midline on the floor of the midbrain.

Latin for covering), also known as the ventral tegmental area of Tsai, or simply ventral tegmentum, is a group of neurons located close to the midline on the floor of the midbrain.

Transverse section of mid-brain at level of superior colliculi. (Tegmentum labeled at center right.)
Anatomical location of VTA in humans

Neurons in the VTA project to numerous areas of the brain, ranging from the prefrontal cortex to the caudal brainstem and several regions in between.

These GABAergic neurons regulate the firing of their dopaminergic counterparts that send projections throughout the brain to, but not limited to, the following regions: the prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens, and the locus coeruleus.