Anatomy

Question 1

What is the brainstem composed of

Answer 1

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla

Question 2

Roles of the brainstem

Answer 2

Sensation and pain
- ascending somatosensory systems and afferents and efferents

Movement
- pyramidal systems, cranial nerves

Autonomic nervous system
- parasympathetic (rest and digest), other cranial nerves

Consciousness, sleep and alertness
- ascending reticular activating system

Endocrine control
- stimulation of the hypothalamus

Question 3

What does the midbrain consist of

Answer 3

Tectum (vision and hearing)
Cerebral peduncles (movement via the pyramidal tracts)
Tegmentum (movement via components of the exta pyramidal system suc as the substantia nigra and red nucleus

Question 4

What are the 3 functional pathways of the cerebellum

Answer 4

Cerebrocerebellum: lateral hemispheres

Spinocerebellum: vermis and intermediate zones

Vestibulocerebellum: flocculonodular lobe

Question 5

What is the vestibulocerebellum

Answer 5

Receives proprioceptive input form the vestibular system an mediates posture and balance as well as vestibular reflexes (head movements)

Question 6

What is the vestibulospinal tract

Answer 6

Originates in pontine vestibular nuclei

Medial: synpases in cervical spinal cord with muscles that maintain head position

Lateral: synapses in many levels of the spinal cord with muscles that help maintain balance and posture (leg extensor and arm flexor)

Question 7

What is the cerebrocerebellum

Answer 7

Receives cortical input via the pontine nuclei, projects to the dentate nuclei and eventually cortex, thus participating in the planning and timing of movement and force

Question 8

What is the rubrospinal tract

Answer 8

Originates in the red nucleus of the midbrain

Decussates quickly and descends laterally with the corticospinal tract, synapsing in the cervical levels of the spinal cord

Upper limb position and flexion adjustments

Question 9

What is the spinocerebellum

Answer 9

Receives sensory input from the spinocerebellar tracts, projects motor adaptation signals to cerebellar nuclei to eventually coordinate limb movement and gait

Question 10

What is the reticulospinal tract

Answer 10

Originates in the pontine and medullary reticular formation

Medial (pontine): synapses throughout the spinal cord with muscles

Lateral (medullary): synpases throughout the spinal cord with muscles

Assists in controlling trunk and upper and lower limb muscles (walking and posture)

Question 11

What is the tectospinal tract

Answer 11

Originates in the superior colliculus of the midbrain

The superior colliculus receives input from the visual cortex and retina

Decussates quickly and descends medially, synpasing in the upper cervical levels of the spinal cord

Assists in head, neck and eye orientation to visual stimuli

Question 12

What is the reticular formation

Answer 12

An ill defined group of inter mingled neurons that span the brainstem and involve a variety of neurotransmitters:
Serotonin, acetylcholine, catecholamines, orexin, glutamate, GABA, histamine

Question 13

What foramen does the vagus nerve pass through

Answer 13

Jugular

Question 14

Which cranial nerve is affected when you are unable to elicit a corneal reflex and find a weakness in all of the facial muscles

Answer 14

CN VII (facial)

Question 15

Which cranial foramen does the facial nerve pass through

Answer 15

Internal acoustic meatus

Question 16

Which symptoms are consistent with a lesion of the glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer 16

Absent gag reflex and deviated uvula

Question 17

Which cranial foramen does the glossopharyngeal nerve pass through

Answer 17

Jugular foramen

Question 18

Which cranial foramen does the mandibular nerve pass through

Answer 18

Foramen ovale