Brain Stem

Question 1

Medulla Oblongata- inferior cerebral penducles

Answer 1

fiber tracts connecting medulla and cerebellum

Question 2

Medulla Oblongata- olive

Answer 2

lateral to pyramid
large wavy fold of gray matter
contains inferior olivary nucleus- relay sensory info travelling to cerebellum. Especially propioceptive info ascending from the spinal cord

Question 3

Medulla Oblongata- pyramids

Answer 3

two longitudinal ridges that lie on ventral surface.

formed by pyramidal tracts that carry voluntary motor output from cerebrum to spinal cord

Question 4

Medulla Oblongata- decussation of pyramids

Answer 4

crossing over of motor tracts in caudal part of the medulla. causes each cerbral hemisphere to control opposite sides of the body.

Question 5

Reticular Formation (also see brain systems)

Answer 5

loose cluster of brain nuclei that run through the core of the brainstem

• alertness and muscle regulation
• in medulla
• 3 columns that run the length of the brainstem:
  1. midline raphe nuclei
  2. medial nuclear group
  3. lateral nuclear group

Question 6

Reticular Formation- visceral motor nuclei in medulla

Answer 6

contain:
1. cardiac center- force and rate of heart beat
2. vasometer center- blood pressure
3. respiratory center- breathing
4. hiccuping, sneezing, coughing, swallowing

Question 7

Gray matter of medulla ( structures, cranial nerves)

Answer 7

Cranial Nerves: VIII, IX, X, XII (vestibulochoclear, glossalpharyngeal, vagus, hypoglossal)

• nucleus cuneatus and gracilis
• inferior olive nucleus
• reticular formation nuclei

Question 8

White matter of medulla

Answer 8

pyramidal motor tracts

interior cerebellar pundicles

Question 9

Pons

Answer 9

form ventral bridge between brainstem and cerebellum

seperated from cerebellum by 4th ventricle

Question 10

Pons- Pontine nuclei

Answer 10

connect cerebral cortex with cerebellum. Contributes to coordination of voluntary movements

Question 11

Pons- middle cerebellar penduncles

Answer 11

pontine nuclei send axons via these to the cerebellum.

thick.

Question 12

Pons- gray matter (structures, cranial nerves)

Answer 12

Cranial nerves- V- VII (trochlear, abducens, facial)
pontine nuclei
reticular formation

Question 13

Pons- white matter (structures)

Answer 13

pyramidal motor tracts

middle cerebellar peduncles

Question 14

Midbrain

Answer 14

between pons and diencephalon.

cerebral aqueduct

Question 15

Midbrain- ventral

Answer 15

peduncles, pyramidal tracts, crus cerebri

Question 16

Midbrain- dorsal

Answer 16

superior cerebellar peduncles pair. Connect midbrain and cerebellum

Question 17

Periaqueductal gray matter

Answer 17

surrounds cerebral aqueduct.
sympathetic flight/fight reaction– link for part of brain with autonomic pathway that triggers the sympathetic reaction
response to visceral pain

Question 18

Midbrain- corpora quadrigemina

Answer 18

largest brain nuclei, four bumps on the dorsal midbrain
divided into:
superior colliculus and inferior colliculus

Question 19

Midbrain- superior colliculus

Answer 19

part of corpora quadregemina

act in visual reflexes

Question 20

Midbrain- inferior colliculus

Answer 20

part of corpora quadregemina

act in reflexive response to sound

Question 21

Midbrain- substantia nigra

Answer 21

has cell bodies with melanin in band like distributions. Deep in pyramidal tracts of cerebral peduncles.
linked functionally to basal nuclei and deep gray matter of cerebrum.
degeneration of this = parkinsons

Question 22

Midbrain- red nucleus

Answer 22

deep to substantia nigra
rich blood supply and iron containing cells make it red
associated with cerebellum