Transverse section of medulla oblongata below the middle of the olive. ("Nucleus ambiguus" labeled at center right.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin
nucleus ambiguus
NeuroNames
765
NeuroLex ID
birnlex_2650
TA98
A14.1.04.253
TA2
6011
FMA
54588
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy
[edit on Wikidata]
The nucleus ambiguus ("ambiguous nucleus" in English) is a group of large motor neurons, situated deep in the medullary reticular formation named by Jacob Clarke.[1] The nucleus ambiguus contains the cell bodies of neurons that innervate the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx, and larynx which are associated with speech and swallowing. As well as motor neurons, the nucleus ambiguus contains preganglionic parasympathetic neurons which innervate postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the heart.[2]
It is a region of histologically disparate cells located just dorsal (posterior) to the inferior olivary nucleus in the lateral portion of the upper (rostral) medulla. It receives upper motor neuron innervation directly via the corticobulbar tract.
This nucleus gives rise to the branchial efferent motor fibers of the vagus nerve (CN X) terminating in the laryngeal, pharyngeal muscles, and musculus uvulae;[3] as well as to the efferent motor fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) terminating in the stylopharyngeus muscle. In addition, it gives efferent fibers to the cranial part of accessory nerve (CNXI).
^Haines, Duane E (1999). "NEUROwords 7 Vague, Uncertain, Ambiguous, Obscure: Imprecision or Modesty?". Journal of the History of the Neurosciences. 8 (3): 294–295. doi:10.1076/jhin.8.3.294.1828.
^Machado, BH and Brody, MJ. "Role MJ of the nucleus ambiguus in the regulation of heart rate and arterial pressure."
The nucleusambiguus ("ambiguous nucleus" in English) is a group of large motor neurons, situated deep in the medullary reticular formation named by Jacob...
innervate the heart meanwhile reside in the nucleusambiguus, and additional cell bodies of the nucleusambiguus give rise to the branchial efferent motor...
[dubious – discuss] The ventral branch of the vagus originates in the nucleusambiguus and is myelinated to provide more speed in responding. Polyvagal theory...
motor fibers come from neurons of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and the nucleusambiguus. The vagus was also historically called the pneumogastric...
swallowing, or dysphagia. This can be caused by the involvement of the nucleusambiguus, as it supplies the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. Slurred speech...
with the observation that the spinal accessory nucleus appears to be continuous with the nucleusambiguus of the medulla. Others consider the spinal accessory...
component originates from the nucleusambiguus in the reticular formation of the rostral medulla. Fibers leaving the nucleusambiguus travel anteriorly and laterally...
spinal accessory nucleus lies within the cervical spinal cord (C1-C5) in the posterolateral aspect of the anterior horn. The nucleusambiguus is classically...
innervate the laryngeal muscles, and pharyngeal muscles are located in the nucleusambiguus and emerge from the medulla in the cranial root of the accessory nerve...
motor nucleus is considered part of the special visceral efferent (SVE) cell column, which also includes the trigeminal motor nucleus, nucleusambiguus, and...
respiratory group. The neurons involved include those in the nucleusambiguus, the nucleus retroambiguus, and the interneurons in the pre-Bötzinger complex...
hypoglossal nucleus, which contains general somatic efferent fibers. The nucleusambiguus, which form the special visceral efferent. The dorsal nucleus of vagus...
tract also contributes to the motor regions of cranial nerve X in the nucleusambiguus. Upper motor neuron Upper motor neuron lesion DeMyer, William (1998)...
medulla, this group is located caudally to the facial nucleus and ventral to nucleusambiguus. The Bötzinger complex plays an important role in controlling...
oculomotor, trochlear, motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, abducens, facial nerve and accessory and in the nucleusambiguus to the hypoglossal, vagus...
neuron cell bodies of the axons of the pharyngeal branch reside in the nucleusambiguus. The pharyngeal branch arises from the superior portion of the inferior...
blood pressure and thus activate excitatory fibers to the nucleusambiguus and dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve to regulate the parasympathetic nervous system...
the nucleusambiguus, whereas fibers that supply the smooth muscle and lower esophageal sphincter have bodies situated in the dorsal motor nucleus. The...
parasympathetic functions that originate in the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve and the nucleusambiguus in the CNS. The vagus nerve is an unusual cranial...
inferior cerebellar peduncle, the nucleusambiguus, the vagus motor nucleus, the spinal trigeminal nucleus, the solitary nucleus, and the vestibulocochlear nuclei...
syrinx, a direct projection similar to the projection from LMC to the nucleusambiguus in humans The HVC is considered the syntax generator while the RA modulates...
Gatti PJ, Johnson TA, Massari VJ (February 1996). "Can neurons in the nucleusambiguus selectively regulate cardiac rate and atrio-ventricular conduction...
with their cell bodies in the rostral part of[citation needed] the nucleusambiguus. The stylopharyngeus receives arterial supply from the paryngeal branch...
they form visceral motor nuclei; the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve; the nucleusambiguus, the salivatory nuclei, and in the sacral region of...
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