4.1.2 Brainstem & Cerebrum

Question 1

What are the 3 parts of the brainstem?

Answer 1

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla

Question 2

What are the major functions of the midbrain?

Answer 2

Eye movement
Pupil reflex to light
(due to optic nerve)

Question 3

What are the major functions of the pons?

Answer 3

Important for feeding
Controlling sleep

Question 4

What are the major functions of the medulla?

Answer 4

Cardiovascular
Respiratory

Question 5

What is the result of a lesion in the brainstem?

Answer 5

As there is lots of tissue squeezed in, any lesion has large effects especially due to the cranial nerves

Question 6

What is the frontal lobe responsible for?

Answer 6

• Voluntary motor control
• Speech production
• Social behaviour
• Impulse control
• Higher cognition (planning, thinking)
  HIV-Serious Stuff

Question 7

What is the significance of the central gyrus’ division?

Answer 7

Pre-central gyrus is responsible for primary motor cortex

ALL VOLUNTARY MOTOR CONTROL

Post-central gyrus responsible for primary somatosensory cortex

ALL SOMATOSENSORY FEELINGS

Question 8

What is the parietal lobe responsible for?

Answer 8

• Somatosensory perception
• Spatial awareness

Question 9

What is the occipital lobe responsible for?

Answer 9

Visual Perception

Question 10

What is the cerebellum responsible for?

Answer 10

Co-ordination and motor learning

Question 11

What is the temporal lobe responsible for?

Answer 11

• Language
• Emotion
• Long-term memory
• Sense of smell
• Hearing
• Taste

Taste
Emotion
Memory (long-term)
Petrous bone, middle ear- Hearing
Olefactory
R
A
Language

Question 12

What is visible in this image?

Answer 12

Uncus- most medial part of the temoral lobes

Question 13

Why is the uncus significant?

Answer 13

Responsible for olefactory sensation

If intracranial pressure increase, uncus can herniate around the tentorium cerebelli, compresses/irritates the occulomotor cranial nerve CNIII

Uncal herniation

Question 14

What is the homunculus?

Answer 14

Topographical representation of how motor function is provided to the body

Question 15

Why is the homunculus significant?

Answer 15

When you have motor lesions can be used to figure out which part of the primary motor complex is damaged

Legs, feet and genitals have a different blood supply, may not be affected in a stroke affecting the supply to this area

Question 16

Homunculus mnemonic

Answer 16

People- Pharynx
Think-Tongue
Footballers-Face
Have-Hands
Always-Arms
Taken-Trunk
Luxury-Legs
For-Feet
Granted-Genitals