Nucleus ambiguus
684719
207398930
2008-04-22T17:14:47Z
Arcadian
104523
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Caption = [[Transverse]] section of [[medulla oblongata]] below the middle of the olive. ("Nucleus ambiguus" labeled at center right.) |
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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]]