inferior olivary nucleus (nucleus olivaris)

Introduction

A large aggregate of densely packed neurons in the medulla.

Afferents

connections to the inferior olive include:

• fibers from the spinal cord
• the dentate nucleus
• the motor cortex;
• central tegmental tract of midbrain (major input).

Efferents

connections of the inferior olive include:

• projections to the contralateral half of the cerebellar cortex by way of the olivocerebellar tract
• the inferior olive is the only source of cerebellar climbing fibers

More general terms

• CNS nucleus

Component of

• medulla oblongata