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3.7.2.2.1 Retino-tectal Tract The Retino-tectal tract deals with a combination of information received from the optic, auditory and vestibular nerves. Twenty percent of the fibres within the optic nerve form secondary collaterals to the retino-tectal pathway. These are made up of mainly M fibres which carry information from the periphery of the retina, via the thalamus and through to the superior colliculus of the midbrain. The thalamus is the major centre for sensory integration. If the eyes are closed, penetrating light can still have an effect on these visual fibres. The superior colliculus also receives input from the auditory and vestibular nerves and integrates these signals with visual information to help with balance, spatial orientation and eye movement control. This is thought to be how those who are clinically blind and yet are still able to perceive objects in front of them (Joubert, 2004). 3.7.2.2.2 Retino-Hypothalamic Tract The Retino-hypothalamic tract deals with light information sent from the retina to the pineal and other hypothalamic glands. Ten percent of the fibres from the optic nerve form secondary axon collaterals to the retinohypothalamic pathway. This pathway travels from the retina, down the non-visual inferior accessory optic tract, to the transpenduncular nucleus in the midbrain (which is colour sensitive). It then goes to the intermediolateral cell columns of the spinal cord, the superior cervical ganglion and then to the pineal gland via the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus. This pathway is stimulated by light immediately after birth and precedes the function of the optic pathway (Joubert, 2004). 3.7.2.3 Physiological Effects of the Retino-Hypothalamic Tract The hypothalamus, which receives direct information from the retina, regulates over 100 bodily functions which operate on daily rhythms, thereby making it one of the most important organs within the human system. The hypothalamus controls the entire CNS (central nervous system), pituitary gland, limbic and reticular activation system (responsible for alertness, emotion, learning and attention). The pituitary gland is active in the day and the pineal gland is active at night. Light encourages the secretion of seratonin from the hypothalamus during the day and inhibits the secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland. Therefore melatonin can only be produced at night. Light 67PDF Image | THE USE OF LIGHT AND COLOUR AS A HEALING MODALITY
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