Anterior external arcuate fibers

The anterior external arcuate fibers (ventral external arcuate fibers) vary as to their prominence: in some cases they form an almost continuous layer covering the medullary pyramids and olivary body, while in other cases they are barely visible on the surface.

Anterior external arcuate fibers
Diagram showing the course of the arcuate fibers. (Testut.) 1. Medulla oblongata anterior surface. 2. Anterior median fissure. 3. Fourth ventricle. 4. Inferior olivary nucleus, with the accessory olivary nuclei. 5. Gracile nucleus. 6. Cuneate nucleus. 7. Trigeminal. 8. Inferior peduncles, seen from in front. 9. Posterior external arcuate fibers. 10. Anterior external arcuate fibers. 11. Internal arcuate fibers. 12. Peduncle of inferior olivary nucleus. 13. Nucleus arcuatus. 14. Vagus. 15. Hypoglossal.
Section of the medulla oblongata at about the middle of the olive. (Arcuate fibers labeled at center right.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	fibrae arcuatae externae anteriores
NeuroLex ID	birnlex_1628
Anatomical terminology

Most of them reach the surface by way of the anterior median fissure, and arch backward over the pyramid.

Reinforced by others which emerge between the pyramid and olive, they pass backward over the olive and lateral district of the medulla oblongata, and enter the inferior peduncle.

As the fibers arch across the pyramid, they enclose a small nucleus which lies in front of and medial to the pyramid.

This is named the arcuate nucleus, and is serially continuous above with the pontine nuclei in the pons; it contains small fusiform (spindle-shaped) cells, around which some of the arcuate fibers end, and from which others arise.