Nucleus of Darkschewitsch | |
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Details | |
Location | Midbrain |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy |
The nucleus of Darkschewitsch is an accessory oculomotor nucleus[1] situated in the ventrolateral portion of the periaqueductal gray of the mesencephalon (midbrain)[2]: 114 [3]: 458.e1 near its junction with the diencephalon. It is involved in mediating vertical eye movements.[1] It projects to the trochlear nucleus, receives afferents from the visual cortex, and forms a reciprocal (looping) connection with the cerebellum by way of the inferior olive.
It receives afferents from the visual association areas (via the corticotectal tract),[2]: 241 vestibular nuclei (via the medial longitudinal fasciculus),[2]: 402 and from the spinomesencephalic tract.[3]: 433.e1
It gives rise to the medial tegmental tract to project efferents to the (rostral portion of) medial accessory olivary nucleus[3]: 458.e1 → ((decussation) inferior cerebellar peduncle → (contralateral) globose nucleus of cerebellum → superior cerebellar peduncle (decussation) → (rostral part of) medial accessory olivary nucleus → (ipsilateral) nucleus of Darkschewitsch[3]: 484 ).
It projects (directly or indirectly) to the trochlear nucleus.[3]: 457
It is situated near the oculomotor nucleus.[2]: 321 It is situated just dorsomedial to the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, the medial longitudinal fasciculus, and red nucleus.[3]: 458.e1