reticular formation: Meaning and Definition of

retic'ular forma'tion

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. a network of neurons in the brainstem involved in consciousness, regulation of breathing, the transmission of sensory stimuli to higher brain centers, and the constantly shifting muscular activity that supports the body against gravity.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.