This image depicts the LC core and peri-LC regions, along with important LC afferents and structural sex differences in the rat LC. It has been reported that the female LC contains more noradrenergic neurons than the male LC. Additionally, the dendrites of female LC neurons are larger and more complex, extending further in the peri-LC region. This structure increases the probability that female LC dendrites will contact afferents that terminate in the peri-LC regions. Bar, Barrington’s nucleus; BNST, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; CeA, central nucleus of the amygdala; DL Peri-LC; dorsolateral pericoerulear locus coeruleus; LC Core, locus coeruleus core; NTS, nucleus of the solitary tract; PAG, periaqueductal gray; PGi, nucleus paragigantoceullaris; VM Peri-LC, ventromedial pericoerulear locus coeruleus