What is mesencephalic reticular formation?
Definition. A neuronal structure located in the core of the brain stem whose caudal boundary is the crossing of the superior cerebellar peduncle (brachium conjunctivum) and extends rostrally to the thalamic reticular nucleus. It is reciprocally interconnected with the superior colliculus.
What happens if you lesion the reticular formation?
These pathways from the reticular formation must be functional for normal attentional abilities and sleep-wake cycles to be preserved. Lesions to major pathways of the reticular activating system can thus impair consciousness, and severe damage can cause coma or a persistent vegetative state.
What is the medullary reticular formation?
The medullary reticular formation contains large populations of inadequately described, excitatory interneurons that have been implicated in multiple homeostatic behaviors including breathing, viserosensory processing, vascular tone, and pain.
What are the reticular nuclei?
nucleus of the thalamus that forms a sheet-like structure and makes up the outer covering of the thalamus. The reticular nucleus is the only thalamic nucleus that does not project to the cerebral cortex. Instead it primarily modulates the activity of other thalamic nuclei.
What is the main function of the 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.
How does the reticular formation get damaged?
Damage of the reticular formation results in prolonged sleep or inactivity. The neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, is utilized by this activating region. The ARAS receives input from the cranial nerves and all sensory systems.
How do you stimulate the reticular activating system?
Use facial expressions to make silent commentary on the insightfulness of the question, put your index finger to your chin and look off into space, or widen your eyes as you wait. Use humor or an anecdote. Humor is a jolt to the RAS. Use topic-related visual aids as you talk such as photographs, cartoons or charts.
What are two important functions of the reticular formation?
How do you strengthen the reticular activating system?