(ol'ĭv )

[L. oliva, olive]

1. An egg-shaped device small enough to fit on the tip of a vein stripper. The olive prevents damage to the vein as the stripper is pushed into it.
2. An enlarged stenotic pylorus in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
3. Inferior olive.
4. Olivary complex.

accessory o.Any of three nuclei (inferior accessory olivary nucleus, medial accessory olivary nucleus, dorsal accessory olivary nucleus) that together form the inferior olive.

SEE: inferior olive.

inferior o.A large nucleus in the hindbrain caudal to the pons. In cross section, the inferior olive appears wavy or serpentine. Inputs to the inferior olive include axons from the midbrain reticular formation via the central tegmental tract. Outputs of the inferior olive project to the contralateral cerebellar hemisphere via the olivocerebellar tract in the inferior cerebellar peduncle. SYN: inferior olivary complex; inferior olivary nucleus.

superior o.A small nucleus located in the midlateral tegmental region of the pons. It is embedded in the lateral lemniscus just beyond the trapezoid body and receives axons from and sends axons to the lateral lemniscus. SYN: superior olivary nucleus; superior olivary complex.

SYN: olivary complex.