pregeniculate nucleus (PGN)

The term pregeniculate nucleus refers to one of two components of the lateral geniculate complex in the human ( Mai-2004; Riley-1943 ), the macaque ( Shantha-1968; Martin-2000 ), the rat ( Swanson-2004 ), and the mouse ( Franklin-2008 ), In primate it is a narrow horizontal band of cells lying dorsal to the much larger lateral geniculate nucleus. It is separated from the larger nucleus by fibers of the optic tract. It is composed of two parts: the rostral part of the pregeniculate nucleus and the caudal part of the pregeniculate nucleus ( Olszewski-1952 ). In the rat ( Swanson-2004 ) and the mouse ( Franklin-2008 ) it lies ventral to the lateral geniculate nucleus, is closer to it in size, and is separated from it by the cellular intergeniculate leaf. It is composed of two parts: the lateral zone of the pregeniculate nucleus and the medial zone of the pregeniculate nucleus ( Swanson-2004 ). Some authors divide the nucleus of the rat into three layers ( Paxinos-2009b ). The dorsally located structure of the primate and ventrally located structure of the rodent are considered homologous, because the embryonic origin of both is ventral to that of the lateral geniculate nucleus, and both are continuous rostrally with the zona incerta and the reticular nucleus of the thalamus ( Jones-1985 ). Functionally the pregeniculate nucleus belongs to the reticular formation (functional) of the brainstem motor system ( Swanson-2004 ).

Also known as: ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, lateral geniculate complex, ventral part, pregeniculate nucleus, Nucleus pregeniculatum, Nucleus praegeniculatus, Corpus geniculatum externum, nucleus accessorius, Griseum praegeniculatum, Praegeniculatum, lateral geniculate complex, ventral part (Kölliker), lateral geniculate nucleus, ventral part, ventral part of the lateral geniculate complex, suprageniculate nucleus, pregeniculate substance, Corpus pregeniculatum

NeuroNames ID: 354

All Names & Sources

Showing 22 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
lateral geniculate complex, ventral part
English
lateral geniculate complex, ventral part (Kölliker)
English
lateral geniculate nucleus, ventral part
English
pregeniculate nucleus
English
pregeniculate nucleus
English
pregeniculate substance
English
suprageniculate nucleus
English
ventral lateral geniculate nucleus
English
ventral part of the lateral geniculate complex
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
Topology Has The Structure Relevant Data Not Located Has The Structure Has The Structure

Showing 11 record(s)

Basis
Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Topology
Yes
Corpus geniculatum externum, nucleus accessorius
Topology
Yes
Griseum praegeniculatum
Topology
Yes
Nucleus praegeniculatus
Topology
Yes
Nucleus pregeniculatum
Topology
Yes
Praegeniculatum
Topology
Yes
pregeniculate nucleus
Topology
Yes
lateral geniculate complex, ventral part
Topology
Yes
lateral geniculate complex, ventral part (Kölliker)
Topology
Yes
ventral lateral geniculate nucleus
Topology
Yes
ventral part of the lateral geniculate complex
Topology
Yes
lateral geniculate nucleus, ventral part
Models Where It Appears
Structural CNS Model - Macaque

Brain structures of the macaque are illustrated in BrainInfo’s NeuroMaps macaque brain atlas. Structures are grouped by proximity in a hierarchy corresponding to the central nervous system hierarchy of NeuroNames ( Bowden-1995 Martin-2000 ). Structures in the NeuroMaps atlas are based on the segmentation of an MRI of the brain of a 3-year old male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). The atlas is most useful for targeting structures for implantating electrodes and chemtrodes. Updated 29 Oct 2025.

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.