Retina in PAN

From Program on Ontologies of Neural Structures

Question: Should the retina be included in PAN e-mail discussion, dates: 20-27 Aug 2010

Synopsis:

The question was posed whether the retina would be included in PAN, and the discussion expanded to whether other sensory-related structures should also be included. The discussion hinged on the definitions of brain and PNS, and their relationships with the optic nerve and bulbus olfactorius.

Laszlo Zaborszky’s message provided a quick overview of the currently accepted morphological limits of the brain and addressed a question about the optic chiasm. He noted that cranial nerves III-XII exiting the brain stem belong to the PNS, but that the retina and bulbus olfactorius are explanted brain regions and that the axons are brain pathways. Although these nerves are called cranial nerves (I and II), they are part of sensory organs that are part of the CNS and not the PNS.

Decision:

There appeared to be tacit agreement that the retina and bulbus olfactorius are appropriately included in PAN.