Converging functional and anatomical evidence for novel brainstem respiratory compartments in the rat.

摘要: Central nervous system circuits controlling respiratory motoneurons have usually been divided into a dorsal medullary group—associated with portions of the nucleus solitary tract, ventrolateral group—mostly ventral to ambiguus, and pontine parabrachial nuclear complex. When visualized via retrograde labeling neurons from injections within medulla (Fig. 1 A), labeled aggregates respiratory-related in pons appear form practically continuous column cells. These are concentrated lateral brainstem areas stretching caudal mesencephalon, through medulla1—4. This pattern highlights rostrocaudal columnar organization that integrates control across entire extent rhombencephalon. A second organizational theme is represented by segmentation this functional compartments 1B).