Pontomedullary reticular projections into the region of the ascending medial longitudinal fasciculus in cat.

The medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) and immediately adjacent reticular formation were stimulated electrically just caudal to the trochlear nucleus in the cat. In the pontomedullary reticular formation within 1.5 mm of the midline, antidromically excited neurons were detected in (1) the contralateral abducens nucleus, (2) the contralateral reticular formation just caudal and caudoventral to the abducens nucleus, and (3) the ipsilateral nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis beneath and rostral to the abducens nucleus. The possible involvement of these neurons in eye or body movements is discussed.