| Nucleus ambiguus | |
|---|---|
 Transverse section of medulla oblongata below the middle of the olive. ("Nucleus ambiguus" labeled at center right.) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nucleus ambiguus |
| NeuroNames | 765 |
| NeuroLex ID | birnlex_2650 |
| TA98 | A14.1.04.253 |
| TA2 | 6011 |
| FMA | 54588 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The nucleus ambiguus ("ambiguous nucleus" in English) is a group of large motor neurons, situated deep in the medullary part of the reticular formation named by Jacob Clarke.[1] The nucleus ambiguus contains the cell bodies of neurons that innervate the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx, and larynx which are associated with speech and swallowing. As well as motor neurons, the nucleus ambiguus contains preganglionic parasympathetic neurons which innervate postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the heart.[2]
It is a region of histologically disparate cells located just dorsal (posterior) to the inferior olivary nucleus in the lateral portion of the upper (rostral) medulla. It receives upper motor neuron innervation directly via the corticobulbar tract.
This nucleus gives rise to the branchial efferent motor fibers of the vagus nerve (CN X) terminating in the laryngeal, pharyngeal muscles, and musculus uvulae;[3] as well as to the efferent motor fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) terminating in the stylopharyngeus muscle. In addition, it gives efferent fibers to the cranial part of accessory nerve (CNXI).
- ^ Haines, Duane E (1999). "NEUROwords 7 Vague, Uncertain, Ambiguous, Obscure: Imprecision or Modesty?". Journal of the History of the Neurosciences. 8 (3): 294–295. doi:10.1076/jhin.8.3.294.1828.
- ^ Machado, BH and Brody, MJ. "Role MJ of the nucleus ambiguus in the regulation of heart rate and arterial pressure."
- ^ Petko, Bogdana; Tadi, Prasanna (2024), "Neuroanatomy, Nucleus Ambiguus", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 31613524, retrieved 2024-05-03