The reticular formation of the brainstem isnetworked formation, a set of nerve structures located in the central divisions (visual cusps, middle and oblong brain). The neurons that make up it differ in size, length of axons, and structure. Their dense intertwining is noted.
Functions of the reticular formation
Formation is associated with the cerebellum, spinal cord,bark in the cerebral hemispheres, limbic (providing the most important reactions in the body) system. In the area of reticular formation, ascending (afferent) and descending (efferent) impulses interact. Pulses can also circulate through closed neural circuits. In this case, the neurons are constantly excited in the reticular formation at a certain level. As a result, there is a certain willingness to work in different departments of the central nervous system. The degree of excitation of the net formation is regulated by the hemispheres.
The reticular formation includes areas capable of exerting a facilitating or inhibitory effect on spinal motor reactions.
For the first time the relationship between cerebrospinalreflexes and irritation of various sites of net formation was revealed by IM Sechenov. Subsequently, the American neurophysiologist Magoun, with the assistance of the staff, clearly illustrated the observation of Sechenov.
Thus, with electric stimulation of the medialIn the area of narcotized monkeys and cats, complete cessation of movements, both reflex and caused by stimulation of motor cortical areas of the cortex, occurred. In this case, all the inhibitory phenomena that provoke the reticular formation, which has been irritated, are of a two-sided nature.
When the net formation on the periphery, which exerts a retarding effect on the lateral zone, appears, a facilitating effect on the spinal motor activity is revealed.
Reticular formation is capable of affecting different spinal formations.
It should be noted that the net areaeducation, which has a facilitating effect on motor activity, spreads anteriorly. Thus, it covers not only the area of the medulla oblongata, but also the midbrain and the variolium bridge.
Net formation can influenceon muscle tone. This provision was discovered by R. Granit. The Swedish neurophysiologist has shown that the reticular formation affects the activity of gamma motor neurons. Their axons pass through the so-called "intrafusorial" muscle fibers and play an important role in regulating the phase movements and body postures.
Different regions of the reticular formation are capable of exerting generalized effects on the cerebral cortex, involving all its regions.
Maintaining the activity of networked education andsensitivity to various chemical elements circulating in the blood, is carried out by means of humoral factors (carbon dioxide, catecholamines, etc.). This, in turn, contributes to the inclusion of the reticular formation in the regulation of individual autonomic functions.
It should be noted that the study of the relationshipnet formation with other subcortical structures, its properties made it possible to clarify the mechanisms of the neurophysiological character of individual states (pain, wakefulness, sleep, active attention, emotional and motivational states, and others). The use of medicines in studies allows to identify methods of treatment of individual CNS pathologies, define a new approach to certain medical problems.
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