reticular activating system
(Science: physiology) 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.
Dictionary > Reticular activating system
You will also like...
![Early Earth](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Origins-of-Life-300x168.jpg)
The Origins of Life
This tutorial digs into the past to investigate the origins of life. The section is split into geological periods in the..
![Freshwater aquatic plankton](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Freshwater-Communities-Plankton-224x168.jpg)
Freshwater Communities & Plankton
Planktons are microscopic organisms that live suspended in aquatic habitats. There are two groups: the phytoplanktons an..
![Chemical effects on plant growth and development](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Effect-of-Chemicals-on-Growth-Development-in-Organisms-300x168.jpg)
Effect of Chemicals on Growth & Development in Organisms
Plants and animals need elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium for proper growth and developme..
![IQ, Creativity and Learning](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IQ-Creativity-and-Learning-e1657499183538-300x110.jpg)
IQ, Creativity and Learning
Human intelligence provided the means to utilize abstract ideas and implement reasoning. This tutorial takes a further l..
![A chart depicting Mendel's Law of Dominance](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominance-and-Crossing-Over-168x168.jpg)
Mendel’s Law & Mendelian Genetics
One of Mendel’s law of inheritance is the “law of dominance”. Read this tutorial to know more about this form of i..
![Oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Central-Nervous-System-238x168.jpg)
The Central Nervous System
Myelin sheath is essential for a faster conductivity of signals. Know more about this feature of some neurons in the Cen..