Definition of Nucleus niger

1. Noun. A layer of deeply pigmented grey matter in the midbrain; associated with the striate body; is involved in metabolic disturbances associated with Parkinson's disease and with Huntington's disease.

Exact synonyms: Locus Niger, Substantia Nigra
Generic synonyms: Neural Structure
Group relationships: Mesencephalon, Midbrain

Medical Definition of Nucleus niger

1. A large cell mass, crescentic on transverse section, extending forward over the dorsal surface of the crus cerebri from the rostral border of the pons into the subthalamic region; it is composed of a dorsal stratum of closely spaced pigmented (i.e., melanin-containing) cells, the pars compacta, and a larger ventral region of widely scattered cells, the pars reticulata; the pars compacta in particular includes numerous cells that project forward to the striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen) and contain dopamine, which acts as the transmitter substance at their synaptic endings; other, apparently non-dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra project to a rostral part of the ventral nucleus of thalmus, the middle layers of the superior colliculus and to restricted parts of the reticular formation of the midbrain; the nigrostriatal projection is reciprocated by a massive striatonigral fibre system with multiple neurotransmitters, chief among which is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); substantia n. Receives smaller afferent projections from the subthalamic nucleus, the lateral segment of the globus pallidus, the dorsal nucleus of the raphe and the pedunculopontine nucleus of the midbrain. The pars reticulata forms part of the output system for the striate body. The substantia n. Is involved in the metabolic disturbances associated with Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Synonym: locus niger, nucleus niger, Soemmerring's ganglion. (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Nucleus Niger

nucleus lateralis medullae oblongatae
nucleus lateralis thalami
nucleus lemnisci lateralis
nucleus lentiformis
nucleus lentis
nucleus masticatorius
nucleus medialis centralis thalami
nucleus medialis thalami
nucleus motorius nervi trigemini
nucleus nervi abducentis
nucleus nervi facialis
nucleus nervi hypoglossi
nucleus nervi oculomotorii
nucleus nervi trochlearis
nucleus niger (current term)
nucleus niger (current term)
nucleus of cuneate fasciculus
nucleus of Darkschewitsch
nucleus of Goll
nucleus of hypoglossal nerve
nucleus of inferior colliculus
nucleus of lateral geniculate body
nucleus of lateral lemniscus
nucleus of lens
nucleus of Luys
nucleus of medial geniculate body
nucleus of oculomotor nerve
nucleus of solitary tract
nucleus of the mamillary body
nucleus of trochlear nerve

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