Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Unique Mesencephalic Nucleus

The mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve is Unique in many aspects. 

It is considered as the only place in the nervous system where the cell bodies of primary afferent fibers are found within the central nervous system rather than in ganglia outside the central nervous system.

The cell bodies located in the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal are actually connected to afferents (sensory fibers) primarily from muscles for chewing.

It is considered as the center for the Corneal reflex though some say the Spinal nucleus as the center for the Corneal reflex.

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