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1. Glossary

Midbrain

The midbrain is the uppermost section of the brain stem. Its regions are located around the aqueduct, a canal filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Prominent structures include the tectum, tegmentum, and substantia nigra.

1. Glossary

Paraventricular nucleus

A nucleus of the hypothalamus whose neurons produce various hormones, including oxytocin and vasopressin, which are transported to the neurohypophysis. The PVN sends axons to the limbic system, the brain stem, and other hypothalamic nuclei.

1. Glossary

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that acts as a messenger in the transmission of information between neurons at their synapses. It is primarily produced in the raphe nuclei of the brain stem and plays a key role in sleep and alertness, as well as emotional well-being.

1. Glossary

Central nucleus

The nucleus centralis belongs to the centromedial nucleus group of the amygdala. It has connections to the hypothalamus and nuclei of the brain stem and is involved in autonomous emotional responses such as fear reactions.

1. Glossary

Inferior olivary nucleus

The inferior olive – more precisely, the olive nucleus complex – is one of the largest nucleus complexes in the brain stem. It plays an important role in fine-tuning motor skills, as it forms the connection between the motor cortex and the cerebellum.

1. Glossary

Raphe nuclei

The raphe nuclei are located in the reticular system and are distributed throughout the brain stem. They belong to the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) and are the site of serotonin production.

1. Glossary

Vestibulo-ocular reflex

When we turn our head, our eyes automatically move in the opposite direction. This reflex ensures that a stable image is formed on the retina even when the head moves quickly. This is made possible by the connection between the semicircular canals of the vestibular system and the nerve nuclei of the eye muscles in the brain stem.

1. Glossary

Inferior colliculus

Two posterior elevations of the midbrain roof are referred to as the inferior colliculi. Together with the superior colliculi, they form the midbrain tectum. Impulses from various nuclei of the lower brain stem converge at the inferior colliculi. In addition, signals from the auditory cortex arrive here. This makes the inferior colliculi an important coordination center for auditory information.

1. Glossary

Olivary bodies

The olivary bodies are two oval structures in the lower part of the brain stem that contain clusters of nerve cell bodies. The lower olive connects the cerebrum to the cerebellum and plays an important role in controlling motor function. The upper olive is part of the auditory pathway. Its neurons can evaluate differences in transit time and level between the right and left ears, thus helping to determine the direction of sound sources.

1. News from the Institutes

First mechanism for cognitive disorders in schizophrenia found

Not only neurons, but also oligodendrocytes are essential

21.08.2025