Brainstem

Question 1

What does the brainstem consist of?

Answer 1

the midbrain, pons and medulla

Question 2

where is the brainstem located?

Answer 2

It is positioned between the forebrain and the spinal cord, and it connected to the cerebellum dorsally

Question 3

How many cranial nerves are associated with the brainstem?

Answer 3

10 pairs

Question 4

What does the midbrain consist of?

Answer 4

cerebral peduncles, substantia nigra, the red nucleus. cerebral aqueduct and mammilary bodies

Question 5

what is the role of the cerebral peduncles?

Answer 5

connect one major brain region to another

Question 6

What cranial nerves are associated with the midbrain?

Answer 6

III cranial nerves anteriorly

IV cranial nerves posteriorly

Question 7

What does the superior cerebellar peduncle connect to?

Answer 7

the midbrain

Question 8

what does the middle cerebellar peduncle connect to?

Answer 8

the pons

Question 9

what does the inferior cerebellar peduncle connect to?

Answer 9

the medulla

Question 10

The colliculi

Answer 10

these are major axonal tracts connecting the brain to the brainstem.
there is the superior and inferior colliculi

Question 11

superior colliculi

Answer 11

are incharge of visual relay and reflex centres:

• receives inputs from the visual cortex and projects to vision-related areas in the cortex
• concerned with the detection of movement of objects in the visual field
• relay information to neurons innervating the muscles that control eye movement

Question 12

inferior colliculi

Answer 12

take part in auditory relay and reflex nuclei:

• responsible for relaying auditory information from hearing receptors of the ear to sensory cortex
• acts in reflexive response to sound

Question 13

Where is the substantia nigra located?

Answer 13

deep to the cerebral peduncle

Question 14

Substantia nigra

Answer 14

contains melanin pigment and if functionally linked to the basal nuclei/ganglia.

Question 15

what are the regions of the substantia nigra?

Answer 15

Pars compacta (SNpc)
Pars reticulata (SNpr) - gives inhibitory input to the thalamus

Question 16

red nucleus

Answer 16

• lies deep to the substantia nigra.
• it has a rich blood supply and contains iron pigment.
• it is a relay nucleus in some descending motor pathways

Question 17

Pons

Answer 17

composed of conduction tracts - both ascending and descending. it is composed of pontine nuclei

Question 18

what cranial nerves is the pons associated with?

Answer 18

V Trigeminal cranial nerves
VI abducens cranial nerves
VII facial cranial nerve
VIII vestibulocochlear cranial nerve

Question 19

What areas is the pons associated with?

Answer 19

the 4th ventricle and the middle cerebellar peduncle

Question 20

Medulla

Answer 20

has a role in maintaining body homeostasis.

Question 21

what centers are there in the medulla?

Answer 21

cardiovascular centres
respiratory centres
reflex centres

Question 22

cardiovascular centres

Answer 22

the cardiac centre adjusts rate and force of heartbeat to meet the body needs, and the vasomotor centre adjusts blood vessel diameter to regulate blood pressure

Question 23

respiratory centres

Answer 23

control rate and depth of breathing

Question 24

reflex centres

Answer 24

controls activities such as coughing, sneezing, gagging, swallowing, vomiting and sweating

Question 25

what does the medulla consist of?

Answer 25

pyramids, 
olives, 
cranial nerves, 
4th ventricle,
 inferior cerebellar peduncle, 
fasciculus gracilis,
fasciculus cuneatus

Question 26

Pyramids

Answer 26

are formed by the large pyramidal tracts descending from the motor cortex

Question 27

olives

Answer 27

contain the inferior olivary nuclei, which relay sensory information to the cerebellum

Question 28

which cranial nerves are associated with the medulla?

Answer 28

IX glossopharyngeal
X vagus nerve
XI accessory
XII hypoglossal

Question 29

fasciculus gracilis

Answer 29

medial tract which sends sensory information from the lower limb

Question 30

fasciculus cuneatus

Answer 30

lateral tract which sends sensory information from the upper limb