The correct sequence of neural pathways that control the muscles responsible for lordosis in female rats is
A) medial amygdala - medial preoptic area - PAG - ventral horn of the spinal cord
B) VMH - PAG - nPGi - ventral horn of the spinal cord
C) VMH - nucleus accumbens - dorsal horn of the spinal cord
D) medial amygdala - medial preoptic area - PAG - nucleus ambiguous
E) VMH - PAG - medullary reticular formation - SNB

Question

The correct sequence of neural pathways that control the muscles responsible for lordosis in female rats is
A) medial amygdala -> medial preoptic area -> PAG -> ventral horn of the spinal cord
B) VMH -> PAG -> nPGi -> ventral horn of the spinal cord
C) VMH -> nucleus accumbens -> dorsal horn of the spinal cord
D) medial amygdala -> medial preoptic area -> PAG -> nucleus ambiguous
E) VMH -> PAG -> medullary reticular formation -> SNB

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The VMH (ventromedial hypothalamus) sends signals to the PAG (periaqueductal gray), which then activates the nPGi (external region of the nucleus raphe magnus), which in turn activates the ventral horn of the spinal cord to control the muscles responsible for lordosis in female rats. This pathway has been well-characterized in studies on lordosis behavior in rodents. None of the other pathways mentioned include all of the key regions involved in this pathway.

The Correct Sequence of Neural Pathways That Control the Muscles