The term intermediate nucleus of the lateral lemniscus refers to the more dorsal of two parts of the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus in the rat ( Paxinos-2009b ) and the mouse ( Franklin-2008, Hof-2000 ). The other part is the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (Paxinos). Functionally it is part of the subcortical auditory system ( Swanson-2004 ).