Brain Stem Overview and Cranial Nerve Nuclei Flashcards
What are the 3 main parts which make up the brainstem?
- Midbrain
- Pons
- Medulla
How many of the cranial nerves originate in the brainstem?
10 of the 12 (CN I and II)
Where do autonomics in the spinal cord tend to be located?
Lateral aspect of the horn
Where can you find the motor aspect in the brainstem (for muscles etc.)?
Ventral aspects of the horn
Where does somatic sensory information lie in relation to visceral sensory information in the spinal cord?
Dorsally (further out)
In the brain stem where does somatic motor and sensory as well as visceral motor and sensory information lie from medial to lateral?
Most medial: - Somatic motor - Visceral motor - Visceral sensory - Somatic sensory (most lateral) Central grey matter more horizontal
Where is the general somatic motor located?
Most medial aspect
What is located in the GSE?
Hypoglossal nucleus (innervates tongue)
What is locted in the SVE (visceral motor)?
Nucleus ambigous (swallowing, speech, HR control)
What is located in the GVE (autonomic motor)?
- Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (GI and respiratory control)
- Inferior salvitory nucleus (CN IX)
What is located within the GVA (autonomic sensory)?
Solitary nucleus
- CV/resp
What is located in the SVA (autonomic sensory)?
Solitary nucleus
- Taste
What is located in the GSA and SSA (somatic sensory)?
- Spinal nucleus
- Vestibular nuclei
- Cochlear nuclei
What are the major tracts of the medulla?
- Corticospinal tract
- Medial lemniscus
- Medial longitudinal fasiculus
Where does the medial lemniscus originate?
Dorsal column nuclei
What information does the medial lemniscal pathway carry?
Conscious proprioception and vibratory stimuli to thalamus
A brainstem lesion in the medial lemniscus leads to loss of what?
Contralateral loss of joint proprioception
Where do ascending tracts of the medial longitudinal fasiculus originate?
From lateral, medial and superior vestibular nuclei and project to pons
Where do descending tracts of the medial longitudinal fasiculus originate?
From medial vestibular nuclei and project to cervical spinal cord (vestibulospinal cord)
What information do the medial longitudinal fasiculus fibres carry?
Information about head position sent to cranial nerves
What does the reticular formation control?
- Modulation of sensory transmission to cortex
- Regulation of motor activity
- Autonomic regulation
- Sleep wake cycle / emotional behavior
What does the nucleus gracilis and cuneatus control?
- Receive information from dorsal columns
- Transmit information on conscious proprioception and vibratory stimuli to thalamus
What does the spinal nucleus if CN V control?
Pain and temperature from the head
What does the major nuclei control?
- Hypoglossal
- Nucleus ambiguus