Perlia's nucleus

Perlia's nucleus, also known as nucleus of Perlia and abbreviated as NP, is a spindle-shaped nucleus located in the mesencephalon, a subdivision of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus[1][2] situated between the right and left oculomotor nuclei. It is implicated in parasympathetic oculomotor functions, possibly including input to the iris and ciliary.[3][4] Perlia's nucleus is believed to be a characteristic found exclusively in animals capable of binocular vision. Moreover, it might be an exclusive characteristic of humans, as indicated by a systematic study of monkey brains, where only 9% exhibited a clear midline group, potentially corresponding to the NP.[5]

In 1891, Perlia's nucleus was identified as a central mediator for the convergent movement of the eyes based on clinical findings in ophthalmospegias.[6] It has also recently been attributed an important role in the upward movement or gaze of the eyes.[1]

Structure

Histological Properties

This spindle-shaped nucleus is formed by groups of cholinergic motor neurons.[7][1] It has multipolar cells in its lower part but bipolar club and spindle-shaped cells are more common in its upper part. Vegetative cells similar to those found in the chief nucleus have also been observed. Cells in the NP are arranged in parallel lines that are ventro-dorsally oriented. Those located in its ventral part have been described as being histologically similar to those in the chief nucleus.[8][1]

Clinical importance

Eponym

The nucleus is named after german physician and ophtalmologist Richard Perlia, who first described its existence in 1889.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Ogut, Eren; Kaya, Pamirhan; Karakas, Ozge; Yildiz, Edanur; Sozge, Ilgin (2024-04-07). "Investigations into the anatomical location, physiological function, clinical implications, and significance of the nucleus of Perlia". Acta Neurologica Belgica. 124 (6): 1767–1784. doi:10.1007/s13760-024-02533-w. ISSN 2240-2993.
  2. ^ Kozicz, Tamás; Bittencourt, Jackson C.; May, Paul J.; Reiner, Anton; Gamlin, Paul D.R.; Palkovits, Miklós; Horn, Anja K.E.; Toledo, Claudio A.B.; Ryabinin, Andrey E. (June 2011). "The Edinger-Westphal nucleus: A historical, structural, and functional perspective on a dichotomous terminology". Journal of Comparative Neurology. 519 (8): 1413–1434. doi:10.1002/cne.22580. ISSN 0021-9967. PMC 3675228. PMID 21452224.
  3. ^ Waitzman, David M.; Oliver, Douglas L. (2002-01-01), "Midbrain", in Ramachandran, V. S. (ed.), Encyclopedia of the Human Brain, New York: Academic Press, pp. 43–68, ISBN 978-0-12-227210-3, retrieved 2023-09-08
  4. ^ "NEUROANATOMY I. - Structures of the CNS". www.nan.upol.cz. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
  5. ^ Kozicz, Tamás; Bittencourt, Jackson C.; May, Paul J.; Reiner, Anton; Gamlin, Paul D. R.; Palkovits, Miklós; Horn, Anja K.E.; Toledo, Claudio A. B.; Ryabinin, Andrey E. (2011-06-01). "The Edinger-Westphal nucleus: A historical, structural, and functional perspective on a dichotomous terminology". The Journal of Comparative Neurology. 519 (8): 1413–1434. doi:10.1002/cne.22580. ISSN 0021-9967. PMC 3675228. PMID 21452224.
  6. ^ Warwick, Roger (1955). "The So-Called Nucleus of Convergence". Brain. 78 (1): 92–114. doi:10.1093/brain/78.1.92. ISSN 0006-8950. PMID 14378452.
  7. ^ Clark, Wilfrid E. le Gros (July 1926). "The Mammalian Oculomotor Nucleus". Journal of Anatomy. 60 (Pt 4): 426. PMC 1249870. PMID 17104116.
  8. ^ Atsuki, Saiyo (1953). "Microscopical Study of Oculomotor Nucleus in Human Adult". The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine. 58 (3–4): 283–294. doi:10.1620/tjem.58.283. PMID 13136168.
  9. ^ Perlia (1889-12-01). "Die Anatomie des Oculomotoriuscentrums beim Menschen". Albrecht von Graefes Archiv für Ophthalmologie (in German). 35 (4): 287–304. doi:10.1007/BF01695201. ISSN 1435-702X.


Stub icon

This neuroanatomy article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.