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 Clinical case
reports mention that lesions of the medulla that
involve the area slightly ventral and lateral to
nucleus and tractus solitarius result in
HICCUP. One (of several) explanations
for this finding is that such a lesion "irritates"
descending information from nucleus solitarius to
the phrenic nucleus. The phrenic nucleus
consists of a functionally related group of cell
bodies in the ventral horn from C3-C5. Axons
arising from the phrenic nucleus comprise the
phrenic nerve, which innervates the diaphragm. The
hiccups result from spasmodic lowering of the
diaphragm that causes a short, sharp inspiratory
cough.
I want you to remember that brainstem lesions
involving the area ventral and lateral to
nucleus and tractus solitarius (I have cleverly
designated it the HICCUP area, but this has not
been carefully studied) result in HICCUP. KEEP
THIS IN MIND WHEN THE DOING PROBLEM SOLVING
EXERCISES.
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