Interstitial nucleus of Cajal
The interstitial nucleus of Cajal is a collection of neurons in the mesencephalon (midbrain) which are involved in integrating eye position-velocity information in order to coordinate head-eye movements - especially those related to vertical and torsional conjugate eye movements. It also mediates vertical gaze holding.
Bilateral projections to the oculomotor (cranial nerve III) and trochlear (cranial nerve IV) nuclei represent its principal outputs. It forms reciprocal connections with vestibular nuclei. It also has additional afferents and efferents. Some of the nucleus' connections pass through the medial longitudinal fasciculus, and the posterior commissure.
It is one of the accessory oculomotor nuclei.
Anatomy
The interstitial nucleus of Cajal is a diffuse collection of mid-sized, parvalbumin-containing premotor neurons of the midbrain reticular formation.Connections
The nucleus forms reciprocal connections with the vestibular nuclei. It forms connections with the ipsilateral rostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculus. Some of its contralateral connections cross over the posterior commissure.Afferents
It receives afferents with the vestibular nuclei, and the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi.It receives afferents from the spinal cord through the spinomesencephalic tract.
It receives afferents from the visual association areas via the corticotectal tract.
Efferents
It projects bilaterally to the oculomotor (cranial nerve III) nucleus, and trochlear (cranial nerve IV) nucleus; these are the nucleus' major efferents.It projects descending efferents through the medial longitudinal fasciculus to the spinal cord, the ipsilateral superior and medial vestibular nuclei, the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi, and reticular formation.