superior olive


dor·sal nu·cle·us of trap·e·zoid bod·y

a term sometimes used to designate the superior olivary nucleus located anterolaterally in the lower pontine tegmentum, immediately superior to the trapezoid body; the nucleus receives fibers from both the ipsilateral and contralateral cochlear nuclei and contributes fibers to the lateral (auditory) lemniscus of both sides. It is believed to be prominently involved in the function of spatial localization of sound. Synonym(s): nucleus dorsalis corporis trapezoidei, oliva superior, superior olive

superior olive

A small nucleus located in the mid-lateral tegmental region of the pons. It is embedded in the lateral lemniscus just beyond the trapezoid body, and it receives axons from and sends axons to the lateral lemniscus. Synonym: superior olivary nucleus; superior olivary complexSee also: olive