Reticular Formation (Noun)
Meaning
A complex neural network in the central core of the brainstem; monitors the state of the body and functions in such processes as arousal and sleep and attention and muscle tone.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The reticular formation is responsible for controlling various automatic functions, including sleep and arousal, in response to internal and external stimuli.
- Damage to the reticular formation can disrupt the normal functioning of vital processes such as heart rate and breathing.
- Studies on the reticular formation have provided insights into the neural mechanisms underlying attention and information processing in the brain.
- Researchers have found that the reticular formation plays a key role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and adjusting muscle tone during different states of consciousness.
- Lesions in the reticular formation have been linked to a range of neurological disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, and movement disorders.