RETICULAR FORMATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does reticular formation mean? 

• RETICULAR FORMATION (noun)
  The noun RETICULAR FORMATION has 1 sense:

1. 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

  Familiarity information: RETICULAR FORMATION used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RETICULAR FORMATION (noun)

Sense 1

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

reticular formation; RF

Hypernyms ("reticular formation" is a kind of...):

neural net; neural network (any network of neurons or nuclei that function together to perform some function in the body)

Meronyms (parts of "reticular formation"):

RAS; reticular activating system (the network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function)

Holonyms ("reticular formation" is a part of...):

brain-stem; brain stem; brainstem (the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus)

 Context examples 

Stimulation of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) portion of the brain controlled stalking and stimulation of the reticular formation controlled biting.

(Geneticists produce laser-activated killer mice, Wikinews)

Emesis is a complex process coordinated by a central emesis center located in the lateral reticular formation of the mid-brainstem.

(Antiemetic Effect, NCI Thesaurus)