Brain stem nuclei

Question 1

Olfactory nerve (CN I)

Answer 1

No brainstem nuclei

Nerve is actually tract that is still part of the CNS

Question 2

Optic nerve (CN II)

Answer 2

No brainstem nuclei

Nerve is actually tract which is part of CNS

Question 3

Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

Answer 3

PARASYMPATHETIC: Edinger-westphal nucleus (level of superior colliculus)

SOMATIC MOTOR: Oculomotor nucleus (level of superior colliculus, paramedial)

III nucleus connects to VI nucleus via Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus (MLF)

Question 4

Parasympathetic nuclei in brain stem

Answer 4

III: Edinger Westphal (ciiary ganglion)

VII: Superior salivary nucleus (sphenopalantine ganglion -> lacrimal gland; submandibular ganglion -> sublingual & submandibular glands)

IX: Inferior salivary nucleus (otic ganglion -> parotid gland)

X: Dorsal motor nucleus (parasympathetic ganglia of thoracoabdominal viscera)

Question 5

Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

Answer 5

SOMATIC MOTOR: Trochlear nucleus

Location: paramedial inferior colliculus level (below oculomotor nucleus)

Question 6

Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Answer 6

BRANCHIAL MOTOR: Trigeminal motor (Vm) - at the level of superior cerebellar peduncle/pons level

SOMATIC SENSORY to face:

Mesencephalic nucleus -Vmes- (length of superior + inferior colliculus) - proprioceptive to temporomandibular joint

Chief or princple sensory nucleus of Vth -Vp- (level of superior cerebellar peduncle) - fine touch, dental pressure and vibration

Spinal trigeminal nucleus -Vsp- (whole length of brain stem from Vp) - paint and temperature

Question 7

Abducens nerve (CN VI)

Answer 7

SOMATIC MOTOR: Abducens nucleus

Location: paramedian pons on facial colliculus

Question 8

Pharyngeal branchial motor nuclei

Answer 8

Supplies striated muscles derived from the branchial arches

Trigeminal motor nucleus -> 1st arch derivatives

Facial nucleus -> 2nd arch derivatives

Nucleus ambiguus -> 3rd, 4th, 6th arch derivatives

Spinal accessory nucleus

Question 9

Facial nerve ( CN VII)

Answer 9

BRANCHIAL MOTOR: Facial nucleus (lateral facial colliculus)

PARASYMPATHETIC: Superior salivary nucleus (just above facial colliculus)

VISCERAL SENSORY: Nucleus solitarius - rostral (taste anterior 2/3)

Vp & Vsp - touch, pain and temperature to ear

Question 10

Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)

Answer 10

SPECIAL SOMATIC SENSORY:

Vestibular nuclei - level of inferior cerebellar peduncle, lower pons

Dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei - small nuclei lateral to vestibular nuclei

Question 11

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Answer 11

BRANCHIAL MOTOR: Nucleus ambiguus (stylopharyngeus muscle)

PARASYMPATHETIC: Inferior salivary nucleus (just below facial colliculus)

VISCERAL SENSORY:

Nucleus solitarius - rostral (taste posterior 1/3 tongue)

Nucleus solitarius - caudal (sensory pharynx, chemo and baroreceptors of carotid boy)

SOMATIC SENSORY:

Vp & Vsp - sensory ear

Question 12

Vagus nerve (CN X)

Answer 12

BRANCHIAL MOTOR: Nucleus ambiguus (palate/ pharynx/ larynx)

PARASYMPATHETIC: Dorsal motor nucleus - thorax & gut

VISCERAL SENSORY:

Nucleus solitarius - rostral - taste epiglottis & pharynx

Nucleus solitarius - caudal - sensory pharynx & larynx & chemoreceptors/baroreceptors of aortic arch

SOMATIC SENSORY:

Vp & Vsp - ear

Question 13

Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Answer 13

BRANCHIAL MOTOR: spinal accessory nucleus

Question 14

Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Answer 14

SOMATIC MOTOR: Hypoglossal nucleus - paramedial all down medulla

Question 15

Dorsal Motor Nucleus (DMX)

Answer 15

Parasympathetic to heart, lungs and digestive tract down to splenic fixture