Lexic.us

Definition of Reticular activating system

1. Noun. The network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function.

Medical Definition of Reticular activating system

1. A physiological term denoting that part of the brainstem reticular formation that plays a central role in the organism's bodily and behavorial alertness. It extends as a diffusely organised neural apparatus through the central region of the brainstem into the subthalamus and the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus; by its ascending connections it affects the function of the cerebral cortex in the sense of behavioural responsiveness; its descending (reticulospinal) connections transmit its activating influence upon bodily posture and reflex mechanisms (e.g., muscle tonus), in part by way of the gamma motor neurons. See: reticular formation. Synonym: non-specific system. (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Reticular Activating System

Literary usage of Reticular activating system

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Nicotine in Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco Products Is a Drug and These edited by Barry Leonard (1999)
"Action of nicotine on the ascending reticular activating system. Int. J Neuropharmacol. 1962;333-351. Knott VJ. Reaction time, noise distraction and ..."

2. Health Consequences of Smoking: Nicotine Addiction a Report of the Surgeon by DIANE Publishing Company, C. Everett Koop, M.D. (1995)
"KNAPP, DE, DOMINO, EF Action of nicotine on the ascending reticular activating system. International Journal of Neuropharmacology 1(4):333-351, 1962. ..."

3. Neither Created Nor Evolved: Living Joyously Without a Creator by Walter Prytulak (2001)
"This happens when an excitation of a bundle of nerve fibers, known as ascending reticular activating system (ARAS), and connecting brainstem with the ..."

4. Neither Created Nor Evolved: Living Joyously Without a Creator by Walter Prytulak (2001)
"... known as ascending reticular activating system (ARAS), and connecting brainstem with the cerebral cortex, plays a major role in awareness, wakefulness, ..."

5. Acute Perinatal Asphyxia in Term Infants: Report of the Workshopedited by Linda L. Wright, Gerald B. Merenstein, Deborah Hirtz edited by Linda L. Wright, Gerald B. Merenstein, Deborah Hirtz (1997)
"... by the modulating influence of the thalami, reticular activating system and upper brainstem. Thus, the EEG is a reflection of whole brain function. ..."

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