Substantia nigra

Substantia nigra

  • Eponym: Soemmering

Definition

Juliette Garnodier

The substantia nigra is a region of gray matter located dorsal to the crus cerebri, composed of two functionally distinct parts:

  • The pars compacta, containing dopaminergic neurons that modulate basal nuclei circuits and facilitate movement,

  • The pars reticulata, containing GABAergic neurons that serve as output for basal nuclei circuits and participate in the control of saccadic eye movements.

In humans, the substantia nigra is broad and thick, and significantly more pigmented than in domestic species.

References

  • Barone R, Bortolami R. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 6, Neurologie I, Vigot, Paris, 2004.

  • Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Miller’s anatomy of the dog, 4th edition, Elsevier Saunders, St Louis, 2012.