Brain Stem Flashcards
Cranial nerves
I. Olfactory II. Optic III. Oculomotor IV. Trochlear V. Trigeminal VI. Abducens VII. Facial VIII. Vestibulocochlear IX. Glossopharyngeal X. Vagus XI. Accessory XII. Hypoglossal.
What makes up the brain stem?
Medulla oblongata
Pons
Midbrain
Olfactory nerve
CN I.
Sensory
Involved in smelling
Doesn’t go through thalamus
Optic nerve
CN II
Sensory
Vision
Oculomotor nerve
CN III
Motor
In midbrain.
Eye movement (incl. pupil dilation)
Trochlear nerve
CN IV
Motor
In midbrain
External muscles of eye.
Trigeminal nerve
CN V
Motor and sensory
Muscles of mastication, tongue, cheeks. Texture of taste.
In pons.
Abducens nerve
CN VI
Motor
Eye movements (abduction).
In pons
Facial nerve
CN VII
Motor and sensory
Saliva, tears, facial expression
In pons
Vestibulocochlear Nerve
CN VIII
Sensory
Ear, balance and hearing
In pons and medulla oblongata
Glossopharyngeal nerve
CN IX
Sensory and motor
Taste, swallowing salivating.
In medulla oblongata
Vagus nerve
CN X
Motor and sensory
Pharynx, larynx, parasympathetic response, increase digestion
In medulla oblongata.
Accessory nerve
CN XI
Accessory to vagus
Motor
Swallowing, taste in throat, SCM and traps.
In medulla oblongata
Hypoglossal nerve
CN XII
Motor
Tongue movement (speech and swallowing)
In medulla oblongata
Medulla Oblongata
Inferior part of brain stem
Foramen magnum –> pons
White matter contains all sensory and motor tracts between spinal cord and brain
Also contains nuclei that control vital brain function
And nuclei associated with CN VIII-XII
Pyramids
Protrusions of white matter on the anterior aspect of the medulla oblongata
Formed by corticospinal tracts that control voluntary moments of limbs and trunk
Decussation of pyramids
In medulla oblongata, just superior to junction with spinal cord, where 90% of axons cross over
Nuclei
Collection of neuronal cell bodies in CNS (= ganglion in PNS)
Cardiovascular centre
In medulla oblongata.
Regulates rate and force of heartbeat and diameter of blood vessels.
Medullary Respiratory Centre
In medulla oblongata
Adjusts the basic rhythm of breathing (with pontine respiratory group)