Brain Stem Sections Flashcards
1
Inferior Brachium
Caudal Midbrain
Transmits auditory info from the inferior colliculus to the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus
2
Edinger Westphal Nucleus
Caudal Midbrain
Contains the cell bodies of the preganglionic parasympathetic (GVE) fibres of the oculomotor n. (CN III)
3
Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)
Caudal Midbrain
Supplies extraocular muscles (4 out of the 6; levator palpebrae of upper eyelid, ciliary and sphincter pupillae of the eye)
4
Corticospinal Tract
Caudal Midbrain
Controls precision and speed of skilled movements involving the distal muscles of the contralateral limbs, particularly those of the hands and fingers
5
Rubrospinal Tract
Caudal Midbrain
Assists in the control of movements of the hands and fingers
6
Oculomotor Nucleus
Caudal Midbrain
Neurons give rise to GSE fibres of the oculomotor nerve (CN III) which supply extraocular muscles (4 out of the 6, as well as some fibres of the levator palpebrae superioris m.)
7
Spinothalamic Tract
Caudal Midbrain
Transmits pain and temperature sensations from the spinal cord to the thalamus
8
Superior Colliculus
Caudal Midbrain
Important relay centre for visual reflexes
9
Periaqueductal Gray (PAG)
Caudal Midbrain
Important centre in modulating pain transmission in the spinal cord, particularly in conditions of extreme stress (indirectly through connections with reticular formation)
10
Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus
Caudal Midbrain
Pathway through which eye movements are coordinated with changes in head position
11
Corticospinal Tract
Rostral Medulla
Controls precision and speed of skilled movements involving the distal muscles of the contralateral limbs, particularly those of the hands and fingers
12
Nucleus Ambiguus
Rostral Medulla
Neurons supply the muscles of the pharynx, larynx, upper oesophagus and heart
13
Basilar Artery
Rostral Medulla
Provides blood supply to much of the cerebellum, pons, midbrain and posterior thalamus as well as part of the temporal (inferior surface) and occipital (medial and inferior surfaces) lobes
14
Olives
Rostral Medulla
Elevations formed by the inferior olivary nuclei which integrate information from a variety of sources before relaying it to the cerebellum
15
Rubrospinal Tract
Rostral Medulla
Assists in the control of movements of the hands and fingers
16
Medial Vestibular Nucleus
Rostral Medulla
Process inputs from vestibular receptors of the inner ear and are involved in the regulation of posture and the coordination of head and eye movements
17
Spinal Trigeminal Tract
Rostral Medulla
Transmits somatosensory (crude touch, pain and temperature) inputs from the Trigeminal nerve (CN V) through the midpons and medulla to the spinal trigeminal nucleus.
18
Ventral Cochlear Nuclei
Rostral Medulla
One of the relay nuclei for the auditory fibres of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) and functions to modify inputs to the higher auditory structures
19
Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus
Rostral Medulla
Pathway through which eye movements are coordinated with changes in head position
20
Dorsal Cochlear Nuclei
Rostral Medulla
One of the relay nuclei for auditory fibres of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) and functions to modify inputs to the higher auditory structures
21
Inferior Olivary Nucleus
Rostral Medulla
Plays an important role in the learning of new motor skills
22
Solitary Nucleus
Rostral Medulla
Processes visceral afferent (GVA and SVA [taste]) inputs from CN VII, IX and X and relays them to the reticular formation and visceral efferent nuclei
23
Spinal Trigeminal Nuclei
Rostral Medulla
Processes sensory inputs, particularly pain and temperature, from the head and neck and relays them to the ventral posteromedial nucleus of the thalamus
24
Inferior Vestibular Nucleus
Rostral Medulla
Plays a role in the maintenance of balance and the coordination of eye and head movements
25
Medial Lemniscus
Rostral Medulla
Transmits sensations of discriminative touch, vibration, proprioception an stereognosis from the gracile and cuneate nuclei to the ventral posterior nuclei of the thalamus
26
Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract
Rostral Medulla
Provides feedback to the cerebellum concerning motor activity (including reflexes) in the lumbosacral levels of the spinal cord
27
Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)
Rostral Medulla
Transmits taste and tactile sensation from the posterior part of the tongue, pharynx and ear, and visceral sensation from the chemo- and baroreceptors of the carotid body and sinus (also supplies efferent fibres to the otic ganglion and stylopharyngeus m.)
28
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle
Rostral Medulla
Formed by pathways passing in both directions between the medulla and cerebellum
29
Tectospinal Tract
Rostral Medulla
Function in humans not precisely determined; thought to mediate reflex movements of head in response to visual and perhaps auditory stimuli
30
Olivocerebellar Tract
Rostral Medulla
Transmits information from inferior olivary nucleus to the contralateral cerebellum, where it forms the climbing fibres
31
Lateral Vestibular Nucleus
Rostral Medulla
Contains cell bodies of the (lateral) vestibulospinal tract which regulates the activity of axial and proximal limb muscles in order to maintain balance and posture
