5 Flashcards
Tracts that originate in the brainstem
Tectospinal
rubrospinal
Reticulospinal
Vestibulospinal
sections of the brainstem
Basilar
Tegmentum
Midbrain has additional poserior section; tectum
section located anterior part of brainstem and contains predominately motor system structures
Basilar section
What does the basilar section of the brainstem contain
Descending axons from cerebral cortex
motor nuclei
section located in the posterior part of the brainstem
Tegmentum
What does the tegmentum section of the brainstem contain
Reticular formation
Sensory nuclei and ascending sensory tracts
Cranial nerve nuclei
Medial longitudinal fasiculus
Adjusts general activity level of nervous system
Reticular formation
Tract that coordinates eye and hand movement
Medial longitudinal fasiculus
additional posterior section in the midbrain
tectum
What does the tectum section of the brainstem contain
pretectal area
Superior and inferior colliculi
Reflexive control of eye and head movement
Tectum
Main functions of the reticular formation
Integrates sensory and cortical info
Regulates somatic motor activity, autonomic func and consciousness
Modulates nociceptive info
Functions of the medulla
Contributes to control of eye and head movements
Coordinates swallowing
Helps regulate cardiovascular, respiratory and visceral activity
Which cranial nerves are entirely in the skull
CN I and II
CN I
Olfactory
Smell
Connection to brain: Inferior frontal lobe
Identify substances
CN II
Optic
Vision
Connection to brain: Diencephalon
Check vision/pupillary reflex (sensory)
CN III
Oculomotor
Moves eye up, down, medially, raises upper eyelid, constricts pupil, adjusts lens shape
Conn to brain: midbrain
Track finger, check eyelids, pupillary reflex (motor)
CN IV
Trochlear
Move eye medially and down
Con to brain: midbrain
Have track finger
CN V
Trigeminal
Facial sensation, chewing, sensation from TMJ
CTB: pons
Sensation of face, corneal reflex (sensory), masseter reflex
CN VI
Abducens
Abducts eye
CTB: between pons and medulla
Have track finger
CN VII
Facial Facial expression, closes eye, tears, salvation, taste CTB between pons and medulla Facial movements Corneal reflex (motor part)
CN VIII
Vestibulocochlear Sensation of head positions relative to gravity and head movement: hearing CTB between pons and medulla Vestibular function Auditory function
CN IX
Glossopharyngeal
Swallowing, salvation, taste
CTB medulla
Gag reflex sensory part
CN X
Vagus
Regulates viscera, swallowing, speech, taste
CTB medulla
Have patient say ah, gag reflex motor
CN XI
Accessory
Elevates shoulders, turns head
CTB spinal cord and medulla
MMT sternocleidomastoid and upper trap
CN XII
Hypoglossal
Moves tongue
CTB medulla
have patient stick out tongue
Facilitates LMN’s innervating muscles of head and neck
Corticobulbar tracts
Except LMN’s to muscles of lower face (CN VII and V) and tongue (CN XII) LMN’s are controlled by
Contralateral corticobulbar fibers
Disorders of the brainstem signs
Dysphagia
Dysarthria
Diplopia
Dysmetria
Lesion to one side of brainstem at CN III, VI, XIII (never all three) also damages nearby corticospinal tract
Alternating hemiplegia
Symptoms of alternating hemiplegia of LMN
Flaccid paralysis on the same side of face/head as the lesion
Symptoms of alternating hemiplegia of UMN
spasctic paralysis of arm/leg on opposite side of body
