Library / English Dictionary

RETICULAR FORMATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (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

Synonyms:

reticular formation; RF

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

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)

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