a term sometimes used to designate the superior olivary nucleus located anterolaterally in the lower pontine tegmentum, immediately superior to the trapezoid body; the nucleus receives fibers from both the ipsilateral and contralateral cochlear nuclei and contributes fibers to the lateral (auditory) lemniscus of both sides. It is believed to be prominently involved in the function of spatial localization of sound. SYN: nucleus dorsalis corporis trapezoidei, oliva superior, superior olive.