Reticular Activating System (Noun)
Meaning
The network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The reticular activating system plays a crucial role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and maintaining alertness throughout the day.
- Damage to the reticular activating system can result in coma or persistent vegetative state due to its critical function in arousal and consciousness.
- The reticular activating system acts as a filter, allowing only relevant sensory information to reach the conscious brain while suppressing irrelevant stimuli.
- Stimulants like caffeine and amphetamines work by stimulating the reticular activating system, thereby increasing alertness and attention.
- The reticular activating system is responsible for the "startle response," a sudden increase in arousal in response to a perceived threat or sudden noise.