1.1

Question 1

what are parts of the hindbrain?

Answer 1

the cerebellum, medulla and pons (located in the lower part)

Question 2

what is the medulla and what does it do?

Answer 2

attaches to the spinal cord, and controls largely unconscious but essential functions such as breathing, maintaining muscle tone and regulating circulation.

Question 3

what is the pons and what does it do?

Answer 3

bridge of fibers that connects the brainstem to the cerebellum.

Question 4

what is the cerebellum and what does it do?

Answer 4

• relatively large and deeply-folded structure located adjacent to the back surface of the stem.
• involved in coordination of movement and critical to the sense of equilibrium
• involved in sensing the position of our limbs
• plays a key role in the execution of muscular movements
• damage to the cerebellum disrupts fine motor skills, writing, typing etc
• brain circuits running from the cerebellum to the prefrontal cortex appear to be involved in higher-order functions, eg, visual perception and attention.

Question 5

what does the midbrain do?

Answer 5

(1) integrates sensory processes such as vision and hearing
(2) releases dopamines involved in performance of voluntary movements, decline in dopamine results to Parkinsonism
(3) reticular formation; contributes to the modulation of breathing, pain perception and muscle movements. contributes to regulation of sleep and arousal.