Nucleus ambiguus 684719 207398930 2008-04-22T17:14:47Z Arcadian 104523 /* Additional images */ -image {{Infobox Brain| Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = 187 | GrayPage = 779 | Image = Gray695.png | Caption = [[Transverse]] section of [[medulla oblongata]] below the middle of the olive. ("Nucleus ambiguus" labeled at center right.) | Image2 = | Caption2 = | IsPartOf = | Components = | Artery = | Vein = | BrainInfoType = hier | BrainInfoNumber = 762 | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = n_11 | DorlandsSuf = 12580164 | }} The '''nucleus ambiguus''' (literally "ambiguous nucleus") is a region of [[histology|histologically]] disparate [[cell (biology)|cell]]s located just [[Dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] ([[posterior]]) to the [[inferior olivary nucleus]] in the [[Human anatomical terms#Anatomical directions|lateral]] portion of the upper ([[rostral]]) [[medulla oblongata|medulla]]. This nucleus gives rise to the [[efferent]] motor fibers of the [[vagus nerve]] ([[cranial nerve|CN]] X) terminating in the [[larynx|laryngeal]] and [[pharynx|pharyngeal]] muscles, as well as to the efferent motor fibers of the [[glossopharyngeal nerve]] (CN IX) terminating in the [[stylopharyngeus]] and the [[accessory nerve]] (CN XI) which innervates other muscles of the soft palate and [[pharynx]]. ==Areas supplied== The muscles supplied by the [[vagus nerve|vagus]] (included with this is the cranial part of the [[accessory nerve]]), such as [[levator veli palatini]], are also necessary to swallow properly through integration by the nucleus of the [[solitary tract]]. The vagus also supplies the upper part of the [[esophagus]], and other parts of the [[pharynx]] and [[larynx]]. As well as motor functions, nucleus ambiguus also contains the preganglionic neurons for the [[heart]]. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray694.png|Section of the medulla oblongata at about the middle of the olive. Image:Gray696.png|The cranial nerve nuclei schematically represented; dorsal view. Motor nuclei in red; sensory in blue. Image:Gray697.png|Nuclei of origin of cranial motor nerves schematically represented; lateral view. Image:Gray700.png|The formatio reticularis of the medulla oblongata, shown by a transverse section passing through the middle of the olive. </gallery> ==External links== * [http://128.104.8.64/virtualbrain/BrainStem/09NA.html Medical Neurosciences] discuss the nucleus ambiguus. * {{GPnotebook|-1664090053}} {{Rhombencephalon}} {{Cranial nerves}} [[Category:Brainstem]] [[Category:Cranial nerves]] [[Category:Neuroanatomy]] [[zh:疑核]]