Edinger–Westphal nucleus

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Edinger–Westphal nucleus
parasympathetic root of ciliary ganglion
Identifiers
Latinnuclei accessorii nervi oculomotorii
MeSHD065839
NeuroNames498
NeuroLex IDbirnlex_822
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy]

The Edinger–Westphal nucleus (accessory oculomotor nucleus,

accommodation, respectively.[2][3]

The term "Edinger–Westphal nucleus" also referred to[3] what is now known as the centrally-projecting Edinger–Westphal nucleus,[5] intermingled population of non-preganglionic neurons[3] that do not project to the ciliary ganglion[5] but to various regions throughout the central nervous system.[5][6]

Anatomy

Centrally-projecting Edinger–Westphal nucleus

Alternatively, the term Edinger–Westphal nucleus is often used to refer to the adjacent population of non-preganglionic neurons that do not project to the

lateral hypothalamic area and the central nucleus of the amygdala, among other regions.[6]

Unlike the classical preganglionic neurons that contain

cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript.[7]

Previously, it had been proposed to rename this group of non-preganglionic, neuropeptide-containing neurons to perioculomotor subgriseal neuronal stream, abbreviated pIIISG.[8] However, more recently, a final nomenclature has been determined. Preganglionic oculomotor neurons within the Edinger–Westphal nucleus are to be referred to as the EWpg, and the neuropeptide-containing neurons shall be known as the centrally-projecting Edinger Westphal nucleus, or EWcp.[5]

Anatomical relations

The paired nuclei are

posterior to the main motor nucleus (oculomotor nucleus) and anterolateral to the cerebral aqueduct in the rostral midbrain at the level of the superior colliculus
.

It is the most rostral of the parasympathetic nuclei in the

brain stem
.

Function

The Edinger–Westphal nucleus supplies

lens, and convergence of the eyes.[9]

Neurophysiology

Pupillary light reflex

The EWN receives feedback from the locus coeruleus about illumination of the retina in order for the EWN to adjust the size of the pupil in response to varying ambiental brightness.[3]

Accommodation

Research

It has also been implicated in the mirroring of pupil size in sad facial expressions. When seeing a sad face, participants' pupils dilated or constricted to mirror the face they saw, which predicted both how sad they perceived the face to be, as well as activity within this region.[10][11]

Eponym

The nucleus is named for both Ludwig Edinger, from Frankfurt, who demonstrated it in the fetus in 1885, and for Karl Friedrich Otto Westphal, from Berlin, who demonstrated it in the adult in 1887.[12]

Additional images

  • The cranial nerve nuclei schematically represented; dorsal view. Motor nuclei in red; sensory in blue.
    The cranial nerve nuclei schematically represented; dorsal view. Motor nuclei in red; sensory in blue.
  • Nuclei of origin of cranial motor nerves schematically represented; lateral view.
    Nuclei of origin of cranial motor nerves schematically represented; lateral view.
  • Primary terminal nuclei of the afferent (sensory) cranial nerves schematically represented; lateral view.
    Primary terminal nuclei of the afferent (sensory) cranial nerves schematically represented; lateral view.

See also

References

  1. ^
    PMID 30725811
    , retrieved 2022-08-08
  2. ^
    PMID 29261885
    , retrieved 2022-08-08
  3. ^
    PMID 32119442
    , retrieved 2022-08-08
  4. ^
    PMID 31985962
    , retrieved 2023-08-15
  5. ^
    PMID 21452224
    .
  6. ^
    S2CID 205769513.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    ).
  7. S2CID 11251849
    .
  8. PMID 18186029
    .
  9. ISBN 978-0-323-05714-1
    .
  10. PMID 18039039
    .
  11. PMID 17186063
    .
  12. Who Named It?

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edinger–Westphal_nucleus&oldid=1225753138"