The locus ceruleus, the primary noradrenergic nucleus of the brain, is located in the:
- A Dorsal pons, beneath the floor of the fourth ventricle ✓
- B Midbrain periaqueductal grey
- C Hypothalamus
- D Basal forebrain
Correct answer: A. Dorsal pons, beneath the floor of the fourth ventricle
Explanation
The locus ceruleus (Latin: 'blue spot') is located in the dorsal pons beneath the floor of the fourth ventricle (superior pons/upper pontine tegmentum). It is the primary source of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) in the CNS, projecting diffusely to the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and spinal cord. It plays a role in arousal, attention, stress responses, and is relevant to depression pharmacology. The basal forebrain (nucleus basalis of Meynert) is the primary cholinergic source.
Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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