Anatomy

Ventral Tegmental Area

A region in the MESENCEPHALON which is dorsomedial to the SUBSTANTIA NIGRA and ventral to the RED NUCLEUS. The mesocortical and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems originate here, including an important projection to the NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS. Overactivity of the cells in this area has been suspected to contribute to the positive symptoms of SCHIZOPHRENIA.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A region in the MESENCEPHALON which is dorsomedial to the SUBSTANTIA NIGRA and ventral to the RED NUCLEUS. The mesocortical and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems originate here, including an important projection to the NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS. Overactivity of the cells in this area has been suspected to contribute to the positive symptoms of SCHIZOPHRENIA.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

6 entry terms
  • Area Tegmentalis Ventralis
  • Ventral Tegmental Area of Tsai
  • Area Tegmentalis Ventrali
  • Tegmental Area, Ventral
  • Tegmentalis Ventrali, Area
  • Tegmentalis Ventralis, Area

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

23 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

94

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Mesencephalon (1968-1970)
  • Tegmentum Mesencephali (1971-1993)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. A08w.186w.211w.132w.659w.413w.875w.820w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Ventral Tegmental Area. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D017557. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D017557
  2. Ventral Tegmental Area. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_tegmental_area
  3. Ventral Tegmental Area. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q640562