locus coeruleus

English

Alternative forms

• locus caeruleus
• locus ceruleus

Etymology

Latin for "blue place", using a Medieval Latin spelling of Classical Latin caeruleus (“blue”). See also Wikipedia for more details.

Noun

locus coeruleus

1. (neurology) A small nucleus, located bilaterally in the pons, which contains norepinephrine and has projections to most of the brain.
   • 2023, Andrew MacDonald, “Twistwood Tales”, in Instagram‎^[1]:

     Noradrenaline builds up carbon dioxide in yer blood, which activates your Locus Coeruleus, which essentially keeps you awake...

Related terms

• coerulear

References

Bear et al. Neuroscience, Exploring the Brain Co. 2001, Lippincot Williams and Wilkins