The locus coeruleus (also spelled locus caeruleus or locus ceruleus) is a nucleus in the pons (part of the brainstem) involved with physiological responses to stress and panic. It was discovered in the 18th century by Félix Vicq-d'Azyr, or maybe later by Johann Christian Reil.
The locus coeruleus is the principal site for brain synthesis of norepinephrine (noradrenaline). The locus coeruleus and the areas of the body affected by the norepinephrine it produces are described collectively as the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system or LC-NA system. Norepinephrine may also be released directly into the blood from the adrenal medulla.
The name is derived from the Latin words coeruleus and locus. Literally, this means "the dark blue spot", a name derived from its azure appearance in unstained brain tissue. The color is due to light scattering from melanin in noradrenergic (producing or activated by norepinephrine) nerve cell bodies. The phenomenon is magnified by the Falck-Hillarp technique°, which combines freeze-dried tissue and formaldehyde to flouresce the catecholamines and serotonin contained in the tissue. Caeruleus is the classical Latin spelling, but coeruleus is the more common spelling. The spelling ceruleus, formed by contraction of the digraph ae or oe into e, is an American English form.
Read more about Locus Coeruleus: Anatomy, Connections, Function
Famous quotes containing the word locus:
“Seeing the locus of joy as the gate
of a city, or as a lych-gate ...”
—Denise Levertov (b. 1923)