Brainstem

Question 1

Midbrain cranial nerves (CN)

Answer 1

CN III CN IV

Question 2

Pons CN

Answer 2

CN V, VI, VII, VIII

Question 3

Medulla CN

Answer 3

CN IX, X, XI, XII

Question 4

superior cerebellar peduncles

Answer 4

almost exclusively efferent. Efferent axons project via thalamic nuclei to cerebral cortex

Question 5

middle cerebellar peduncles

Answer 5

entirely afferent. Pontine nuclei integrate information from most areas of cerebral cortex

Question 6

Inferior cerebellar peduncles

Answer 6

Both afferent and efferent. Afferents from spinal cord, vestibular apparatus and inferior olivary nucleus. Efferents project to vestibular nuclei and reticular formation

Question 7

Tectum (posterior)

Answer 7

Tectum includes structures involved in reflexive control of intrinsic and extrinsic eye muscles and in movements of the head

Question 8

Tectum structures

Answer 8

Superior and inferior colliculi, cerebral aqueduct and spinothalamic tract

Question 9

Tegmentum: Anterior structures

Answer 9

Red nucleus, substantia nigra, corticospinal tracts and oculomotor nerve

Question 10

The postural spinal tracts synapse at the

Answer 10

pons

Question 11

Cerebral peduncles

Answer 11

Descending tracts from the cerebral cortex

Question 12

Pretectal area (tectum)

Answer 12

Pupillary, consensual, and accommodation reflexes of the eye. Pupil control with light. If you have a problem with tectum, the pupils won’t dilate or constrict

Question 13

Superior colliculi

Answer 13

Reflexive eye and head movements

Question 14

Inferior colliculi

Answer 14

Relay auditory information from the cochlear nuclei to the superior colliculus and to the medial geniculate body of the thalamus

Question 15

Periaqueductal gray area (tegmentum)

Answer 15

Pain suppression
Somatic and autonomic reactions to pain, threats, and emotions
Elicits fight-or-flight reaction
Vocalization during laughing and crying

Question 16

Two production areas

Answer 16

Ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra

Question 17

Activation of VTA affects

Answer 17

cerebral areas, assisting in motivation and decision making.
nucleus accumbens, producing feelings of pleasure and reward

Question 18

Ventral tegmentum neurotransmitter

Answer 18

dopamine

Question 19

Pedunculopontine nucleus neurotransmitter

Answer 19

acetylcholine

Question 20

Raphe nuclei neurotransmitter

Answer 20

serotonin

Question 21

Raphe nuclei function

Answer 21

Effect on mood
Descending pain inhibition

Question 22

Locus coeruleus and medial reticular zone neurotransmitter

Answer 22

Norepinephrine

Question 23

Locus coeruleus function

Answer 23

Ability to direct attention
Inhibition of spinothalamic information

Question 24

Medial reticular zone

Answer 24

Autonomic functions: respiratory, visceral, cardiovascular

Question 25

Pons

Answer 25

Pons processes motor information from the cerebral cortex and forwards the information to the cerebellum

Question 26

Spinal tracts in pons

Answer 26

Motor tracts are anterior and sensory are posterior just like the spinal cord

Question 27

Most cranial nerve nuclei are in the dorsal section

Answer 27

Hypoglossal nucleus Dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus Solitary nucleus (involved in taste) (CN VII, IX, and X) Vestibular nuclei Cochlear nucleus

Question 28

Ventral section

Answer 28

Nucleus ambiguus (CN IX and X)

Question 29

Inferior medulla (anterior region)

Answer 29

Corticospinal tract form the pyramids (pyramidal decussation) Dorsal column tracts Nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus Decussate to medial lemniscus

Question 30

Medial longitudinal fasciculus location

Answer 30

inferior medulla

Question 31

Pyramidal lesions of medulla, what CN would be affected?

Answer 31

Oculomotor in the midbrain Abducens in the caudal pons Hypoglossal on the medulla

Question 32

Reticular Activating System

Answer 32

A diffuse network of nerve pathways in the brainstem connecting the spinal cord, cerebrum, and cerebellum, and mediating the overall level of consciousness.

Question 33

Consciousness

Answer 33

Awareness of self and surroundings

Question 34

Consciousness system

Answer 34

Governs alertness, sleep, and attention

Question 35

Medical procedures that affect the RAS

Answer 35

anesthetics, melatonin and substance abuse

Question 36

Descending reticular pathways

Answer 36

Integrates sensory and cortical information Regulates somatic motor activity, autonomic function, and consciousness Modulates nociceptive (pain) information

Question 37

Major reticular nuclei are as follows

Answer 37

Ventral tegmental area (VTA) Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) Raphe nuclei Locus ceruleus and medial reticular area