Figure 9.

Major efferent projections from the cNTS constitute at least three distinct pathways. The target of the majority of the cNTS cells is the PBL (red, cNTS–PBL). The remaining two efferent pathways belong to the MFB (blue) or the DLF (green), together constituting global networks in direct or indirect contact with catecholaminergic (A1–15, C1–3) and cholinergic (Ch) efferent cell groups (upper horizontal map) and circumventricular organs (lower sagittal map; subfornical organ (SFO), organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT), median eminence (ME), neurohypophysis). The three pathways travel a similar tract in the medulla and pons and diverge into respective systems at the level of the PB, a pons-midbrain juncture (level G). Gray lines (A–I) correspond approximately to levels of the transverse sections in Figure 1.