pregeniculate nucleus
Acronym:
PGN
The term pregeniculate nucleus refers to one of two components of the lateral geniculate complex in the human ( Mai-2004; Riley-1943 ), the macaque ( Shantha-1968; Martin-2000 ), the rat ( Swanson-2004 ), and the mouse ( Franklin-2008 ), In primates it is a narrow horizontal band of cells lying dorsal to the much larger lateral geniculate nucleus. It is separated from the larger nucleus by fibers of the optic tract. It is composed of two parts: the rostral part of the pregeniculate nucleus and the caudal part of the pregeniculate nucleus ( Olszewski-1952 ).
In the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and the mouse ( Franklin-2008 ) it lies ventral to the lateral geniculate nucleus, is closer to it in size, and is separated from it by the cellular intergeniculate leaf. It is composed of two parts: the lateral zone of the pregeniculate nucleus and the medial zone of the pregeniculate nucleus ( Swanson-2004 ). Some authors divide the nucleus of the rat into three layers ( Paxinos-2009b ).
The dorsally located structure of the primate and ventrally located structure of the rodent are considered homologous, because the embryonic origin of both is ventral to that of the lateral geniculate nucleus, and both are continuous rostrally with the zona incerta and the reticular nucleus of the thalamus ( Jones-1985 ).
Functionally the pregeniculate nucleus belongs to the reticular formation (functional) of the subcortical motor system ( Swanson-2004 ).
Also known as: pregeniculate substance, suprageniculate nucleus, ventral lateral geniculate nucleusNeuroNames ID : 354
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