2.2 The Transverse Sections of the Brain Flashcards
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Diencephalon, what Fissure can be seen at the Superior-most part of the Transverse Section of the Brain?
The Median Longitudinal Fissure
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Diencephalon, which parts of the Lateral Ventricles can be seen?
- The Anterior Horn
2. The Posterior Horn
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Diencephalon, what other part of the Ventricular System can be seen?
The 3rd Ventricle (III Ventricle)
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Diencephalon, what parts of the Diencephalon can be viewed in both Hemispheres?
- The Caudate Nucleus
- The Thalamus
- The Internal Capsule
- The Lentiform Nucleus
What forms the Lentiform Nucleus?
Superficially - The Putamen
Deeply - The Globus Pallidus
Which 2 structures of the Diencephalon form the Basal Ganglia Nuclei?
- The Caudate Nucleus
2. The Lentiform Nucleus
What is the function of the Basal Ganglia?
- Motor Control (Primarily)
- Motor Learning
- Executive Functions (Mental Skills which help you get things done)
- Behaviors/Emotions
What is the Internal Capsule made up of?
Myelinated Axons (White Matter)
What are the 3 parts of the Internal Capsule?
- The Anterior Limb
- The Genu
- The Posterior Limb
What is the name given to fibers which connect the Cerebral Hemispheres to different parts of the Brain?
Projection Fibers
Which structure of the Diencephalon is Anterior-most?
The Caudate Nucleus
Which structure of the Diencephalon is Lateral-most?
The Lentiform Nucleus
Putamen of the Lentiform Nucleus
Which structure of the Deincephalon is Posterior-most?
The Thalamus
Which structure separates the Nuclei of the Diencephalon and the Thalamus?
The Internal Capsule
Which Cerebral Artery, through one of it’s branches, supplies the Internal Capsule?
The Lenticulo-striate branch of the Middle Cerebral Artery
What is the Substantia Nigra a part of:
a) Structurally?
b) Functionally?
a) The Midbrain
b) The Basal Ganglia
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, where is the Red Nucleus in relation to the Substantia Nigra?
Posterior
What is the function of the Red Nucleus?
It is involved in Motor Coordination, but not as much as the Cerebellum (Rubrospinal Tract)
What fibers do the Cerebral Peduncles contain?
Both Motor and Sensory Fibers in large tracts
What Cranial Nerve Nuclei are found in the Midbrain?
The Occulomotor Nucleus for the Occulomotor Nerve (Cranial Nerve III) and the Trochlear Nerve (Cranial Nerve IV)
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, where can the Occulomotor Nucleus be found?
Posterior to the Red Nucleus
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, what structure is Posterior-most?
The Cerebellar Peduncles
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, where are the Spinothalamic tracts, and Medial Lemniscus found?
Pesterolaterally
What information does the Spinothalamic Tracts carry?
Sensory information
What is the Medial Lemniscus involved in?
The Crossing-Over of Sensory information
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Midbrain, which part of the Ventricular System can be seen?
The Cerebral Aqueduct, through the middle of the Midbrain
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Pons, which structures are found most anteriorly?
- The Pontine Nuclei
2. The Pyramidal Motor Tracts
What are the Pontine Nuclei involved in?
Motor Activity
What is immediately posterior to the Pontine Nuclei and Pyramidal Motor Tracts?
The Medial Lemniscus
What is immediately posterior to the Medial Lemniscus?
The Nuclei of the Reticular Formation
What are the Nuclei of the Reticular Formation responsible for?
- State of Consciousness (Sleep Wake Cycle) from the Reticular Activating System (Ascending)
- Posture, Equilibrium and Autonomic Nervous functioning from the Descending Reticular Formation
What Cranial Nerve Nuclei are found in the Pons?
The Cranial Nerve Nuclei for the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V) and the Abducen Nerve (Cranial Nerve VI)
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Pons, what is the Lateral-most structure?
The Middle Cerebellar Peduncles
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Pons, which part of the Ventricular System can be seen?
The 4th Ventricle (IV Ventricle)
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what forms the Pyramidal Tracts?
Motor Fibres
Where do the Motor Fibers cross over?
At the Decussation of the Pyramids
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what forms the Olive?
The Olivary Nucleus
What is the Olivary Nucleus responsible for?
Superior Olivary Nucleus - Perception of Sound (Auditory System)
Inferior Olivary Nucleus - Cerebellar Motor Learning and Funtion
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what lies immediately posterior to the Pyramids?
The Medial Lemniscus
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what lies immediately posterior to the Medial Lemniscus?
The Nuclei of the Reticular Formation
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what lies immediately posterior to the Nuclei of the Reticular Formation?
The Cranial Nerve Nuclei
Which Cranial Nerves Nuclei are in the Medulla?
- The Glossopharyngeal Nerve (Cranial Nerve IX)
- The Vagus Nerve (Cranial Nerve X)
- The Accessory Nerve (Cranial Nerve XI)
- The Hypoglossal Nerve (Cranial Nerve XII)
Where are the Cranial Nerve Nuclei for the Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII) and the Vestibulocochlear Nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII)?
These are found in the Border of the Pons and the Medulla
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, what is the Posterolateral-most structure?
The Inferior Peduncles
On a Transverse Section showing the area of the Medulla, which part of the Ventricular System can be seen?
The 4th Ventricle (IV Ventricle)
