- Gigantocellular nucleus
Infobox Brain
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Latin = nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis
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BrainInfoType = hier
BrainInfoNumber = 727
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DorlandsPre = n_11
DorlandsSuf = 12581282
The gigantocellular nucleus, as the name indicates, is mainly composed of the so called giant neuronal cells.This nucleus has been known to innervate the caudal
hypoglossal nucleus , and responds toglutamateric stimuli.The gigantocellular nucleus excites the hypoglossal nucleus, and can play a role in the actions of the said nerve [Yang, CC et al. Excitatory innervation of caudal hypoglossal nucleus from nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis in the rat. Neuroscience. 1995 Mar;65(2):365-74.] .
This nucleus receives connections from the
periaqueductal gray , theparaventricular hypothalamic nucleus ,central nucleus of the amygdala ,lateral hypothalamic area , andparvocellular reticular nucleus .Retrograde studies have shown that the deep mesencephalic reticular formation and
oral pontine reticular nucleus project to thenucleus gigantocellularis .The dorsal rostral section of the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis is also involved mediating in expiration (or out-breathing) along with the
parvocellular nucleus .References
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