Brain, Blood Supply, and Cranial Meninges

Question 1

Brainstem External Features (Anterior Surface)

6 features of the medulla are:

Answer 1

–Anterior median fissure
• Continuous inferiorly with anterior median fissure of spinal cord

–Pyramids • Two longitudinal columns (one on each side of anterior median fissure)

–Olive
• Oval elevation lateral to upper part of pyramid

–Pre-olivary sulcus
• Located between pyramid and olive
• Attachment of rootlets of hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

–Retro-olivary sulcus
• Located posterior to olive
• Attachment of rootlets of glossopharyngeal (CN IX) and vagus (CN X) nerves (in line with attachment of rootlets of accessory nerve/CN XI)

–Medullopontine sulcus 
• Nerves that attach (from medial to lateral) 
– Abducens (CN VI) 
– Facial nerve (CN VII) 
– Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)

Question 2

What nerves attach to the medullopontine sulcus?

Answer 2

• Nerves that attach (from medial to lateral)
– Abducens (CN VI)
– Facial nerve (CN VII)
– Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)

Question 3

Brainstem External Features (Anterior Surface)

The trigeminal nerve (CN V) attaches to anterior surface of the _____.

Answer 3

pons

Question 4

Brainstem External Features (Anterior Surface)

A features of the midbrain is the cerebral crura (cerebral peduncles)_______.

Answer 4

cerebral crura (cerebral peduncles).

Question 5

What are features of the cerebral crura?

Answer 5

• Two columns of descending fibers (One on each side)

–Oculomotor nerve (CN III) attaches to medial border of cerebral crus

Question 6

What are features of the cerebral crura? What nerve attaches to it?

Answer 6

• Two columns of descending fibers (One on each side)

–Oculomotor nerve (CN III) attaches to medial border of cerebral crus