medial amygdalar nucleus (MEA)

The term medial amygdalar nucleus (MEA) refers to a composite structure of the amygdala defined on the basis of Nissl stain. In the human ( Mai-1997 ) and the macaque ( Amaral-1992 ), the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and the mouse ( Hof-2000 ). In the primate, it consists of two parts, the anterior part of the medial amygdalar nucleus (MEAa) and the posterior part of the medial amygdalar nucleus (MEAp). In the rodent it is subdivided into five parts: the anterodorsal part of the medial amygdalar nucleus (MEAad), the anteroventral part of the medial amygdalar nucleus (MEAav), the posterodorsal part of the medial amygdalar nucleus (MEApd), the posteroventral part of the medial amygdalar nucleus (MEApv) and the nucleus of the accessory olfactory tract (OLTa). Classically the primate MEA has been categorized as part of the corticomedial nuclear group ( Carpenter-1983 ). In the rodent it is classified as part of the extended striatum ( Swanson-2004 ). Functionally it is classified as part of the olfactory system (OLS) (NeuroNames). Neurons in the MEA and adjacent amygdalohippocampal area (AHI) have the highest levels of androgen and estrogen receptors of any nucleus in the amygdala ( Simerly-1990 ). The hormonal signals those receptors detect presumably enable the addition of self-sex information to sensorimotor signals processed through them. Thus, it is reasonable to consider that The evaluation of social oderants (pheromones) for differences between sexually immature and adult members of one's species and between male and female adults may occur in the MEA, Updated 14 Aug 2024.

Also known as: medial amygdaloid nucleus, Nucleus amygdalae medialis, Nucleus medialis amygdalae, Nucleus amygdaloideus medialis, medial nucleus of amygdala, medial amygdalar nucleus

NeuroNames ID: 241

All Names & Sources

Showing 17 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
medial amygdalar nucleus
English
medial amygdaloid nucleus
English
medial amygdaloid nucleus
English
medial amygdaloid nucleus
English
medial nucleus of amygdala
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
Topology Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure

Showing 9 record(s)

Basis
Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Topology
Yes
medial amygdaloid nucleus
Topology
Yes
Nucleus amygdalae medialis
Topology
Yes
Nucleus amygdaloideus medialis
Topology
Yes
medial amygdaloid nucleus
Topology
Yes
Nucleus medialis amygdalae
Topology
Yes
Nucleus amygdaloideus medialis
Topology
Yes
medial amygdaloid nucleus
Topology
Yes
medial nucleus of amygdala
Topology
Yes
medial amygdalar nucleus
Models Where It Appears
Structural CNS Model - Macaque
Functional CNS Model - Rat

The Functional CNS Model - Rat (FMrat) ( Swanson-2004) is one of three hierarchical models representing the internal organization of the central nervous system (CNS). The others are the Structural CNS Model - Human (SThmn) and the Functional CNS Model - Human (FMhmn). The FMrat model represents the basic organization of the mouse ( Hof-2000 AMBA-2024 ) and, presumably, other rodents. Functional CNS models differ from structural models in that structures are defined and named by connectivity rather than by proximity to other structures at the same level. Functional models are more useful for representing longitudinal components of are grouped based on information drawn from multiple neuroscientific disciplines. such as connections, neurochemical characteristics, and role in physiogical and behavioral processes. While the Functional Model was developed primarily for an atlas of the rat brain ( Swanson-2004 ), the hierarchical organization of structures is for the most part applicable to the human, macaque, mouse and other mammalian brains as well. Structures at lower levels of the Functional CNS hierarchy are largely the same as in the Classical and Developmental Models, i.e., they were originally identified by stains for gray matter (Nissl substance) and white matter (myelin). At the next higher level they are grouped into basic connectional and functional systems of the CNS, such as the subcortical sensory systems, the brainstem motor system and the behavioral state system. At the highest levels CNS structures are grouped on the basis of dissection and embryologic precursors into cerebrum ( cerebral cortex and cerebral nuclei ), cerebellum, and cerebrospinal trunk.