Brain Stem and Cranial Nerves Flashcards
3 Main Sections of the Brainstem
- Midbrain
- Pons
- Medulla
4 Tracts that Originate in the Brainstem
- Tectospinal
- Rubrospinal
- Reticulospinal
- Vestibulospinal
“2” Sections of the Brainstem
- Basilar
- Tegmentum
- Tectum (posterior section of midbrain)
Term: located in the anterior portion of the brainstem and contains predominately motor system structures
Basilar Section
Term: Contains descending motor axons from the cerbral cortex and motor nuclei
Basilar Section
Term: Located in the posterior portion of the brainstem
Tegmentum Section
Term: Contains the reticular formation, sensory nuclei and ascending tracts, CN nuclei, and the medial longitudinal fasciculus
Tegmentum Section
Term: Tract that coordinates eye and head movement
Medial longitudinal fasciculus
Term: Contains the pretectal area, superior/inferior colliculi, and reflexive control of eye and head movement
Tectum
Term: Reflexive turning of the head, auditory and visual information
Superior and Inferior Colliculi
Term: Adjusts general activity of the nervous system - alerting and arousal
Reticular Formation
3 Main Functions of the Reticular Area
- Integrates sensory and cortical information
- Regulates somatic motor actvity, autonomic function, and consciousness
- Modulates nociceptive information
4 Major Reticular Nuclei
- Ventral tegmental area
- Pedunculopontine nucleus
- Raphe nucleus
- Locus cereleus and Medial reticular area
Structure: Anterior surface includes pyramids, olives, and CNs (IX, X, XI, XII)
Medulla
Structure: Posterior surface includes inferior cerebellar peducnles and central canal
Medulla
Structure: Where corticospinal tracts travel
Pyramids
Structure: Functions to influence cerebellar activity
Olives
Structure: White fiber pathways
Inferior cerebellar peduncle
3 Functions of the Medulla
- Contributes to control of eye and head movement
- Coordinate swallowing
- Helps regulate CV, respiratory, and visceral activity (CN X)
Identify the Spinal Segment and List Defining Features
Inferior Medulla
Features:
- Central Canal
- Fasciculus Gracilis/Cuneatus
- Nucleus Gracilis/Cuneatus
- Medial Lemniscus
- Pyramids
Identify the Spinal Segment and List Defining Features
Upper Medulla
Features:
- Fourth Ventricle
- CN X
- CN XII
- Inferior Olivary Nucleus
Identify the Spinal Segment and List Defining Features
Inferior Pons
Features:
- CN VI
- CN VII (travels posterior and wraps around)
- CN VIII
Identify the Spinal Segment and List Defining Features
Mid/Upper Pons
Features:
- CN V
Identify the Spinal Segment and List Defining Features
Lower Midbrain
Features:
- Inferior Colliculus
- Cerebral Aqueduct
- Para-adqueductal Gray
- CN IV Nuclei (only one that exits posterior)
