Medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)
(anatomy and physiology)
It is located in the Medulla (i.e. Part of the brain) that is responsible for monitoring the bloodstream and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for signs of foreign toxins that might be harmful to the body. It plays an indirect role in stimulation of vomiting that when triggered it sends signals to the vomiting Center (which is also located in the Medulla) of the brain. If the signals persist the vomiting Center will in turn send sickness-inducing signals through the vagus nerve to the stomach.
Examples of cases wherein CTZ is triggered are the presence of bacteria or viruses irritating the stomach lining, inhalation/ingestion of chemicals/drugs/toxin detexcted in the blood of cerebrospinal fluid, over-eating (i.e. when too much food in the stomach leads to irritation of the stomach wall). However, few exceptions are emotional/psychological causes (e.g. Fear, disgust, anxiety) wherein the CTZ is by-passed altogether and the higher brain centers (ones that control emotions and memories) stimulate the vomiting Center.
Dictionary > Medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone
You will also like...
![Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gibberellins-and-Gibberellic-Acid-252x168.jpg)
Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid
This tutorial describes the role of gibberellin family in plants. Find out the effects of gibberellin on plant growth an..
!["Cronopio dentiacutus", a prehistoric mammal (an illustration)](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Mammalian-Ancestors-168x168.jpg)
Mammalian Ancestors
Mammals are a diverse group of organisms, where most of them develop their offspring within the uterus of the mother. Ov..
![A chart depicting Mendel's Law of Dominance](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dominance-and-Crossing-Over-168x168.jpg)
Mendel’s Law & Mendelian Genetics
One of Mendel’s law of inheritance is the “law of dominance”. Read this tutorial to know more about this form of i..
![Human Nervous System](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Human-Nervous-System-182x168.jpg)
The Human Nervous System
The nervous system is essentially a biological information highway. This tutorial gives an overview of the nervous syste..
![Salmon jumping upstream in the river](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Lotic-Communities-Animals-257x168.jpg)
Lotic Communities & Animals
A running water environment offers numerous microhabitats for many types of animals. Similar to plants, animals in lotic..
![Body temperature regulation by the hypothalamus](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Temperature-Regulation-in-Animals-168x168.jpg)
Temperature Regulation in Animals
This tutorial elucidates body temperature regulation. Know the details here to learn how the body sets the body temperat..