Parabrachial area

Parabrachial Area is a region of the brain that plays a significant role in the processing of various types of sensory information. It is located in the pons, a part of the brainstem that serves as a bridge between the cerebrum and cerebellum. The parabrachial area is named for its proximity to the superior cerebellar peduncle, also known as the brachium conjunctivum.

Anatomy

The parabrachial area is divided into several nuclei, including the medial parabrachial nucleus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus. These nuclei are involved in different aspects of sensory processing.

Function

The parabrachial area is involved in a variety of functions, including the processing of sensory information related to pain, temperature, taste, and visceral sensation. It also plays a role in the regulation of cardiovascular and respiratory functions.

Pain and Temperature

The parabrachial area receives input from the spinothalamic tract, which carries information about pain and temperature from the body to the brain. This information is then relayed to other areas of the brain, including the hypothalamus and amygdala, for further processing.

Taste

The parabrachial area is a major relay station for taste information in the brain. It receives input from the solitary nucleus, which processes taste information from the tongue, and sends this information to the gustatory cortex for conscious perception of taste.

Visceral Sensation

The parabrachial area also receives information about visceral sensations, such as the feeling of fullness in the stomach. This information is relayed to the hypothalamus, which plays a role in the regulation of appetite and digestion.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the parabrachial area can result in a variety of symptoms, depending on the specific nuclei that are affected. These can include changes in pain and temperature sensation, alterations in taste perception, and disruptions in cardiovascular and respiratory function.

See Also

• Brainstem
• Pons
• Spinothalamic tract
• Solitary nucleus
• Hypothalamus
• Amygdala