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Y1 - Neuroanatomy- Exam 1 > 3. Brainstem > Flashcards

3. Brainstem Flashcards

1
Q

brainstem: overview

A
  • bridge that connects the brain to the spinal cord
  • Regulates vital functions: HR, respiration, sleep, and consciousness
  • Motor & sensory info to face & head via cranial nerves
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2
Q

3 major divisions of brainstem

A
  1. medulla oblongata
  2. pons
  3. midbrain
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3
Q

where do the cranial nerves innervate?

A

head

neck

thorax

abdomen

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4
Q

how many cranial nerves as associated w/ the brainstem?

A

10 of the 12 cranial nerves

(the nuclei are w/in the brainstem structures)

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5
Q

how are the CNs numbered?

A

rostral to caudal

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6
Q

which cranial nerves as associated with MIDBRAIN?

A

III - oculomotor

IV - trochlear

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7
Q

which CNs are assoc. w/ PONS?

A

V - trigeminal

VI - abducens

VII - facial

VIII - vestibulocochlear

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8
Q

which CNs are assoc. w/ MEDULLA OBLONGATA

A

IX - glossopharyngeal

X - vagus

XI - accessory (spinal)

XII - hypoglossal

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9
Q

overview of CNs and assoc. brainstem structure

A

MIDBRAIN - CN 3-4

PONS - CN 5-8

MEDULLA OBLONGATA - CN 9-12

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10
Q

rostral/superior continuation of the spinal cord?

A

medulla oblongata

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11
Q

medulla oblongata: functions

A
  • pathway betwee spinal cord and brain for ascending and descending fiber tracts
  • reflex centers
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12
Q

3 reflex centers of the medulla oblongata

A
  1. Cardiovascular - regulates blood pressure
  2. Respiratory - regulates O2, CO2, & pH levels
  3. Vestibular - maintains orientation of head and body
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13
Q

what are the important structures and landmarks in the medulla?

A
  • 4 - fourth ventricle/central canal
  • Cranial nerves 9-12
  • Olive (olivary bodies)
  • Pyramids
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14
Q

pyramids: define/ function

A
  • part of medulla
  • paired, ventral midline bulges
  • corticospinal tract: major motor tract controlling movements of the limbs and trunk, fine movements of hands and fingers
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15
Q

in a myelin stain, which stains a dark blue?

A

the fibers (axons) stain blue

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16
Q

in a myelin stain, what stains white?

A

the nuclei are light, white

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17
Q

olive: define, functions

A
  • paired anterolateral bulges of the medulla
  • olivary nuclei contribute to:
    • perception of sound
    • motor learning
    • timing of movements
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18
Q

in a cross section, what defines the olive?

A

a ruffled portion of the olive can be seen

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19
Q

fourth ventricle & central canal

A
  • one of the four connected fluid-filled cavities within the human brain, where CSF is produced
  • characteristic diamond shape
  • The fourth ventricle extends from the cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of Sylvius) to the obex, and is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
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20
Q

ventricular system (names)

A

ventricular system:

  1. left lateral ventricle
  2. right lateral ventricle
  3. third ventricle
  4. fourth ventricle
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21
Q

CSF: functions

A
  1. buoyancy
  2. protection
  3. clearing of waste
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22
Q

importance of buoyancy (CSF)

A

nervous tissue is delicate

weight of brain w/o CSF creating buoyancy would crush neurons and cut off blood supply at caudal points

23
Q

importance of protection (CSF)

A

shock absorber during hits/jolts

24
Q

importance of clearing waste (CSF)

A

metabolic waste products diffuse rapidly into the CSF and then REMOVED INTO THE BLOODSTREAM where it can be processed as waste and removed

25
Q

open and closed medulla

(difference)

A

nomenclature refers to level of central canal or at level of 4th ventricle

open medulla: has 4th ventricle

closed medulla: has central canal

26
Q

CN 12

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical sign)

A
  1. hypoglossal (most caudal)
  2. MOTOR
  3. innervates muscles that control tongue movement, assoc. w/ speech and swallowing
  4. CC: impaired speech, swalloing, tongue will not protrude
27
Q

CN 11

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical significance)

A
  1. accessory (spinal accessory)
  2. MOTOR
  3. inn muscles that turn your head (SCM) and shrug shoulders (trapezius)
  4. cc: weakness in turning head/shrugging shoulders, head drift to injured side
28
Q

unique aspect of cranial nerve XI (11)

A

does NOT originate in the cranium; rather it enters the cranium and extends up

29
Q

CN 10

(name, motor/sensory, actions, clinical signs)

A
  1. vagus nerve
  2. MIXED (motor and sensory
  3. Actions
    • motor: muscles of pharynx (swallowing) and larynx (speech)
    • sensory: sensations of hunger./fullness, GI discomfort
  4. CC: hoarse voice, lack of gag reflex
30
Q

CN IX

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical significance)

A
  1. glossopharyngeal
  2. MIXED (motor/sensory)
  3. action
    • motor: salivation/swallowing
    • sensory: sensation to post. 1/3 of tongue (taste/touch/pressure/pain), regulation of blood pressure
  4. cc: loss of bitter/sour tastes; impaired swallowing
31
Q

what structure is superior/rostral to the medulla,

and anterior to the cerebellum?

A

the pons (“bridge”)

32
Q

pons: functions

A
  • pathways
    • descending: forebrain–> medulla
    • descending: forebrain –> cerebellum
    • ascending: medulla –> thalamus
  • respiratory centers that control rate of breathing
  • eye movement, coordinated movements between head and eyes
33
Q

pons: important structures and landmarks

A
  • base vs. tegmentum
  • 4th ventricle
  • cerebellar peduncles
  • CNs 5-8
34
Q

pons is divided into 2 sections: describe

A
  1. base: descending fibers running rostrocaudally; fibers stain dark blue
  2. tegmentum: site of several cranial nerve nuclei and connections to the inferior and superior cerebellar peduncles
35
Q

3 cerebellar peduncles, and what they connect

A
  1. Superior cerebellar peduncle: Cerebellum –> MIDBRAIN
  2. Middle cerebellar peduncle: Cerebellum –> PONS
  3. Inferior cerebellar peduncle: Cerebellum –> MEDULLA
36
Q

CN 8

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical signs)

A
  1. vestibulocochlear
  2. SENSORY
  3. hearing and balance
  4. CC: nerve deafness, dizziness, nausea, and impaired balance
37
Q

cn 7

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical significance)

A
  1. facial nerve
  2. MIXED (motor/sensory)
  3. actions
    • motor: muscles that control facial expression, salivary & lacrimal glands
    • sensory: taste to ant. 2/3 of tongue
  4. cc: inability to control facial expressions, sagging due to loss of tone
38
Q

5 branches of facial nerve

*musc. of facial expression

A

“tiny zebras bit my cake!”

  1. temporal
  2. zygomatic
  3. buccal
  4. mandibular
  5. cervical
39
Q

CN 6

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical signs)

A
  1. abducens nerve
  2. MOTOR
  3. inn lateral rectus muscle of the eye; responsible for lateral eye movement
  4. cc: eye drifts medially and could cause double vision
40
Q

CN 5

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical significance)

A
  1. trigeminal nerve
  2. BOTH (motor/sensory)
  3. 3 branches
    • ophthalmic (V1 - sensory)
    • maxillary (V2 - sensory)
    • mandibular (V3 - mixed)
  4. cc: impaired chewing
41
Q

sensory of trigeminal nerve (CN V)

A
  • V1 - sensation to upper face and forehead
  • V2 - sensation to upper lip, incisors, canines, upper molars, & superior palate
  • V3 - lower lip, chin, anterior 2/3 of tongue

CC: loss of sensation at outlined facial area

42
Q

which structure is superior to the pons and connects the brainsten w/ the forebrain?

A

midbrain

43
Q

midbrain: functions

A
  • eye movements and pupillary ligth reflex
  • auditory and visual processing
44
Q

important structures and landmarks of midbrain

A
  • tectum vs. cerebral peduncle
    • cerebral aqueduct
    • inferior and superior colliculi
    • substantia nigra
    • red nucleus
    • crus cerebri
    • cranial nerves III and IV
45
Q

midbrain is subdivided into:

A

tectum and cerebral peduncle

46
Q

tectum: structure, and function

A
  • part of midbrain
  • 2 pairs of nuclei (superior and inferior colliculi)
    • Superior: visual attention, tracking objects, focusing
    • Inferior: relay from inner ear, reflexive response to sound
47
Q

relationship between midbrain and peduncles

A

the midbrain superior and inferior colliculi are SUPERIOR to the cerebellar peduncles

48
Q

RED NUCLEUS: function, location

A
  • fxn: contributes to motor coordination as part of the extra-pyramidal system, w/ connections to cerebellum in humans
  • found at level of superior colliculi
49
Q

substantia nigra: functions; location

A
  • functions:
    • movement related to basal ganglia (parkinson’s disease)
    • reward (Addiction)
  • located at both level of superior & inferior colliculi
50
Q

crus cerebri: define

A
  • contains fiber tracts that run through the midbrain, including the CST (corticospinal tract)
  • seen in all midbrain sections
51
Q

what is seen at level of INFERIOR colliculus?

A
  • TECTUM
    • inferior colliculus
    • cerebral aqueduct
  • CEREBRAL PEDUNCLE
    • substantia nigra
    • cerebral crus
52
Q

what is seen at level of SUPERIOR colliculus?

A
  • TECTUM
    • superior colliculus
    • cerebral aqueduct
  • CEREBRAL PEDUNCLE
    • substantia nigra
    • *red nucleus
    • cerebral crus
53
Q

CN 3

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical signs)

A
  1. oculomotor
  2. MOTOR
  3. opening eyelid, constricting pupil, turning eye upward/inward
  4. cc: eye rotates laterally/downward, double vision, drooping eyelid
54
Q

CN 4

(name, motor/sensory, action, clinical signs)

A
  1. trochlear
  2. MOTOR
  3. inn superior oblique muscle that controls downward and LATERAL movements of the eye
  4. cc: eye rotates upward and outward (superolaterally), double vision

Y1 - Neuroanatomy- Exam 1 (9 decks)

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