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INTERNAL CAPSULE. Reticular Formation. Objectives. 1.Describe the structure of the internal capsule 2.Identify different areas of the internal capsule 3.Describe the structure and distribution of reticular formation 4. List the afferent and efferent projections
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INTERNAL CAPSULE Reticular Formation
Objectives • 1.Describe the structure of the internal capsule • 2.Identify different areas of the internal capsule • 3.Describe the structure and distribution of reticular formation • 4. List the afferent and efferent projections • 5. List the functions of reticular formation
INTERNAL CAPSULE • It is a V-shaped band of projection fibres • It is divided into: • Anterior limb • Genu • Posterior limb • Retrolenticularpart • Sublentiform
INTERNAL CAPSULE Anterior limb: • Site:between head of caudate nucleus & lentiform nucleus • Contents: • Fibres from anterior nuclear group of thalamus to cingulate gyrus(Thalamocortical) • Fibres from medial nuclear group of thalamus to prefrontal cortex (Thalamocortical) • Frontopontinefibres
INTERNAL CAPSULE Genu: • Site: between head of caudate nucleus & thalamus • Contents: • Part of superior thalamic radiation • Frontopontine • Corticonuclear
INTERNAL CAPSULE Posterior limb: • Site: between thalamus & lentiform nucleus • Contents: • Corticospinalfibres (Ant. Two 3rds) • Fibers from ventral posterior nucleus of thalamus to postcentralgyrus(Thalamocortical) • Fibers from ventral anterior & ventral lateral nuclei of thalamus to motor regions of frontal lobes (Thalamocortical) • Temporopontine & parietopontinefibres
INTERNAL CAPSULE Retrolenticular part: • Site: behind lentiform nucleus • Contents: • Fibers from medial geniculate body of thalamus to auditory cortex • Fibers from lateral geniculate body of thalamus to visual cortex • Parieto- temporo- & occipitopontinefibres
D-Retrolenticular(RL) & Sublenticular (SL) partscontain optic radiations & auditory radiations respectively. A B A C D
ANTERIOR LIMB • Anterior thalamic radiation • Frontopontine • GENU • Part of superior thalamic radiation • Frontopontine • Corticonuclear • RETROLENTIFORM • Post thalamic radiation - Optic radiation • Parieto-pontine • Temporo-pontine • SUBLENTIFORM • Inf thalamic radiation - Auditory radiation • POSTERIOR LIMB • Superior thalamic radiation • Frontopontine • Corticonuclear (corticobulbar) • Corticospinal • Extrapyrimidal Thalamocortical fibres Corticopontine fibres Corticonuclear & corticospinal fibres
Brain Stem Reticular Formation • Reticular = “netlike” • Loosely defined nuclei and tracts • Extends through the central part of the medulla, pons, and midbrain • Intimately associated with • Ascending/descending pathways • Cranial nerves/nuclei • Input and output to virtually all parts of the CNS
Reticular Formation RF is formed of 2 types of cells • 1- Sensory neurons : discharge impulses to motor neurons • 2- Motor neurons : receive impulses from sensory neurons. The axons of the motor neurons divide into: • a- descending branch : ventral and lateral reticulospinal tracts : spinal cord • b- ascending branch : reticular activating system (RAS) to cerebral cortex
RETICULAR FORMATION RF receives impulses from: 1- All sensory pathways (general or special sensations) 2- Cerebral cortex 3- cerebellum 4- Basal ganglia 5- Vestibular nuclei 6- Red nuclei
RETICULAR FORMATION The reticular nuclei are divided into two groups: 1- Pontine (excitatory) reticular system 2- Medullary (inhibitory) reticular system
Reticular Formation • Connectivity is extremely complex • Many different types of neurons: • Innervate multiple levels of the spinal cord • Numerous ascending and descending collaterals • Some have bifurcating collaterals that do both • Many have large dendritic fields that traverse multiple levels of the brain stem
Vestibulospinal and reticulospinal tracts descending in the spinal cord to excite (solid lines) or inhibit (dashed lines) the anterior motor neurons that control the body’s axial musculature
Reticular Formation • Can be roughly divided into three longitudinal zones • Midline - Raphe Nuclei • Medial Zone - Long ascending and descending projections • Lateral Zone - Cranial nerve reflexes and visceral functions
Reticular Formation Functions • I. Participates in control of movement through connections with both the spinal cord and cerebellum • Two reticulospinal tracts originate in the rostral pontine and medullary reticular formation • Major alternate route by which spinal neurons are controlled • Regulate sensitivity of spinal reflex arcs • Inhibition of flexor reflexes • Mediates some complex “behavioral” reflexes • Yawning • Stretching • Babies suckling • Some interconnectivity with cerebellar motor control circuitry
Reticular Formation Functions • II. Modulates transmission of information in pain pathways • Spinomesencephalic fibers bring information about noxious stimuli to the periaqueductal grey • Periaqueductal grey also receives input from the hypothalamus and cortex about behavioral state • Efferentsfrom the periaqueductal grey project to one of the raphe nuclei and medullary reticular formation • These project to the spinal cord and can suppress transmission of pain information in the spinothalamic tract
Reticular Formation Functions Cortex Thalamus Hypothal Spinothalamic Tract Periaqueductal Grey Raphe Spinal Cord Level
Clinical Correlation • Pain Management • Periaqueductal grey has high concentration of opiate receptors • Natural pain modulation relies on endogenous opiates • Exogenous opiates are used for pain management
Reticular Formation Functions • III. Autonomic reflex circuitry Reticular formation receives diverse input related to environmental changes Also receives input from hypothalamus related to autonomic regulation Output to : • cranial nerve nuclei • Intermediolateral cell column of the spinal cord Involved in: • Breathing • Heart rate • Blood pressure
Reticular Formation Functions • IV. Involved in control of arousal and consciousness • Input from multiple modalities (including pain) • Ascending pathways from RF project to thalamus, cortex, and other structures. • Thalamus is important in maintaining arousal and “cortical tone” • This system is loosely defined, but referred to as the Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS) • ARAS is a functional system, not an anatomically distinct structure