A report on Reticular formation and Locus coeruleus

Coronal section of the pons, at its upper part. (Formatio reticularis labeled at left.)
Rhomboid fossa. (Locus coeruleus not labeled, but is very near [just lateral to] the colliculus facialis, which is labeled at center left.)
A cross section of the lower part of the pons showing the pontine reticular formation labeled as #9
Locus coeruleus and its influence pathways
Ascending reticular activating system. Reticular formation labeled near center.
Spinal cord tracts - reticulospinal tract labeled in red, near-center at left in figure

It is a part of the reticular activating system.

- Locus coeruleus

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

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

3 related topics with Alpha

Overall
Structures of the brainstem, the origin of the arousal system, viewed along the sagittal plane

Arousal

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Physiological and psychological state of being awoken or of sense organs stimulated to a point of perception.

Physiological and psychological state of being awoken or of sense organs stimulated to a point of perception.

Structures of the brainstem, the origin of the arousal system, viewed along the sagittal plane

It involves activation of the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) in the brain, which mediates wakefulness, the autonomic nervous system, and the endocrine system, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure and a condition of sensory alertness, desire, mobility, and readiness to respond.

The noradrenergic system is a bundle of axons that originate in the locus coeruleus and ascends up into the neocortex, limbic system, and basal forebrain.

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

Brainstem

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Posterior stalk-like part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord.

Posterior stalk-like part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord.

The three distinct parts of the brainstem are colored in this sagittal section of a human brain.
3D Medical Animation Still Shot Showing Different Parts of Mid-Brain
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

Several nuclei, tracts, and the reticular formation are contained here.

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.

Location of the human hypothalamus

Hypothalamus

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Portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions.

Portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions.

Location of the human hypothalamus
Median sagittal section of brain of human embryo of three months
Endocrine glands in the human head and neck and their hormones
Cross-section of the monkey hypothalamus displays two of the major hypothalamic nuclei on either side of the fluid-filled third ventricle.
Hypothalamic nuclei
Hypothalamic nuclei on one side of the hypothalamus, shown in a 3-D computer reconstruction<ref>Brain Research Bulletin 35:323–327, 1994</ref>
Human brain left dissected midsagittal view
Location of the hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is highly interconnected with other parts of the central nervous system, in particular the brainstem and its reticular formation.

The hypothalamus receives many inputs from the brainstem, the most notable from the nucleus of the solitary tract, the locus coeruleus, and the ventrolateral medulla.