Terminal nucleus of cranial nerve
Nucleus terminationis nervi cranialis
- Latin synonym: Nucleus sensorius nervi cranialis
- Synonym: Sensory nucleus of cranial nerve
Definition
The term "terminal nucleus of cranial nerve" refers to the various sensory nerve nuclei located within the gray matter of the brain.
The sensory or afferent neurons can be seen extending to sensory nuclei within the gray matter. These sensory afferent neurons arise from ganglia located outside the brain, such as the ganglia located in the trunk of the cranial nerves (analogous to the dorsal root ganglia in the sensory roots of spinal nerves). The central processes of these sensory neurons enter the brain and synapse at the sensory nuclei, termed the nuclei of termination.
Click here for more information about the cranial nerve nuclei.
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