trapezoid nucleus (Tz)

The term trapezoid nucleus refers to one of four components of the superior olivary complex as classically defined by Nissl stain in the human. It is located ventrally in the pontine tegmentum. The other components of the complex are the superior olive and the periolivary region ( Carpenter-1983 ). Some authors describe it as indistinctly divisible into a medial trapezoid nucleus and lateral trapezoid nucleus ( Crosby-1962 ). More recent studies based on multiple stains for calcium binding proteins failed to demonstrate a distinct group of cells identifiable as the trapezoid nucleus in the human ( Bazwinsky-2003 ). Embedded in the dorsal portion of the trapezoid body ventral to the pontine reticular formation and lateral to the medial lemniscus of the pons, it is found in the macaque ( Bazwinsky-2005; Paxinos-2009a ), the rat ( Paxinos-2009b ), and the mouse ( Franklin-2008 ). Functionally the trapezoid nucleus is part of the subcortical auditory system ( Swanson-2004 ).

Also known as: trapezoid nuclei, Nucleus corporis trapezoidei, Nucleus trapezoidalis, nuclei of trapezoid body, trapezoid gray, nucleus of trapezoid body, trapezoid nucleus, medial nucleus of the trapezoid body, nucleus of the trapezoid body

NeuroNames ID: 576

All Names & Sources

Showing 18 synonym(s)

Language
Name
Source
English
medial nucleus of the trapezoid body
English
nuclei of trapezoid body
English
nuclei of trapezoid body
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nucleus of the trapezoid body
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nucleus of trapezoid body
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trapezoid gray
English
trapezoid nuclei
English
trapezoid nucleus
Species With The Structure
Equivalent By Human Macaque Rat Mouse
Internal Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure Has The Structure

Showing 7 record(s)

Basis
Has Equivalent
Organism
Their Name
Source
Internal Structure
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nuclei of trapezoid body
Internal Structure
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trapezoid gray
Internal Structure
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trapezoid nuclei
Internal Structure
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Nucleus trapezoidalis
Internal Structure
Yes
Nucleus corporis trapezoidei
Internal Structure
Yes
nuclei of trapezoid body
Internal Structure
Yes
nucleus of trapezoid body
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.