cuneiform nucleus
Acronym: CNN
The term cuneiform nucleus (CNN) refers to one of two parts of the midbrain reticular formation (MBRF) identified by histology in the human ( Carpenter-1983 ), macaque ( Oertel-1969 ), rat ( ( Swanson-2004 ) and mouse ( Hof-2000 ). Some authors name subparts of CNN. The descriptions of subparts are inconsistent and are indexed as synonyms of CNN.( NeuroNames ). The other part of the MBRF is the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN).
      The CNN is located adjacent to and reciprocally connected with the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (PAGdl). Functionally, it is part of brainstem motor system (SMS) ( Swanson-2004 ) and the instinctive control system (INST) ( Bowden-2021 ) for defense, which generate innate freezing and flight responses to predatory stimuli ( Bindi-2023 ). Updated 6 Nov 2025.

Also known as: Nucleus cuneiformisNeuroNames ID : 502


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