Superior olive

Superior Olive

The superior olive is a nucleus in the pons of the brainstem involved in the processing of sound. It is part of the auditory system, playing a fundamental role in the ability to localize sound in the three-dimensional space.

Anatomy

The superior olive is located in the upper part of the pons, near the inferior colliculus. It is composed of two main parts: the medial superior olive (MSO) and the lateral superior olive (LSO). Each of these parts has a distinct role in the processing of auditory information.

Function

The primary function of the superior olive is to process auditory stimuli. The MSO is involved in the localization of sound in the horizontal plane, while the LSO is involved in the localization of sound in the vertical plane. This is achieved through the detection of differences in the timing and intensity of sound signals received by the two ears.

Clinical significance

Damage to the superior olive can result in a variety of auditory deficits, including difficulties in sound localization and hearing loss. It can also be involved in certain neurological disorders, such as Multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

See also

• Inferior olive
• Auditory system
• Sound localization