Brainstem Flashcards
The brain stem is composed of
The midbrain
the pons
the medulla oblongata
The two primary brain vesicles of the brain stem
Mesencephalon
Rhombencephalon
Midbrain secondary brain vesicles
Mesencephalon
Pons secondary brain vesicles
Merencephalon
Medulla oblongata secondary brain vesicles
Myelencephalon
Where is the brainstem located
Between the cerebrum and spinal cord
Nuclei of which cranial nerve are found in the Brain stem
Cranial nerve 3 to 12
The midbrain is located between
The diencephalon and pons
What building structure do you find on the ventral side of the midbrain
2 cerebral peduncles
What do you find in the cerebral peduncles of the midbrain
Descending fibers that go to the cerebellum via the pons
descending pyramidal tracts
Which structure of the midbrain connect the third and the fourth ventricles of the brain
The cerebral aqueduct
Name of the roof of the cerebral aqueduct
Tectum
What structure do you find in the tectum
Corpora quadrigemina
What is the corpora quadrigeminal composed of
2 superior colliculi
2 inferior colliculi
What does the two superior colliculi control
The movement of the ice head and neck due to visual stimuli
What does the inferior colliculi control
Reflects movement of the head and neck and trunk in response to auditory stimuli
Why is the red nucleus of the midbrain red
Contains numerous blood vessels
Function of red nucleus
Received information from cerebrum and cerebellum
issues subconscious motor comments concerns with muscle tone and posture
Why is the substantia nigra black or dark
Contains melanin pigments
What is secreted by the substantia nigra
Dopamin to inhibits excitatory neurons of the basil nuclei
What would damage to the substantia nigra cause
Spasm
What cranial nerve exit from the midbrain
Cranial nerve three and four
What is the red nucleus
Rounded mass of gray matter
What does pons mean
Bridge
Location of pons
Between midbrain and Medulla
What cranial nerves do you find in the pons
Cranial nerve 5, 6,7 and eight
What respiratory nuclei do you find in the pons
Apneustic and pneumotaxic centers
How do you call the posterior part of the pons
The tegmentum
What does the pontine tegmentum form
The floor of the fourth ventricle
What do you find in the tegmentum
Pontine reticular formation
Nuclei: Facial Pontine abducens vestibular trapezoid trigeminal ( senosry spinal and motor )
What is the most inferior region of the brain stem
The medulla oblongata
What are the two ventral ridges of the medulla oblongata
Medullary pyramids
What forms the medullary pyramid
Large motor corticospinal tract where they decussate at the medulla spinal cord junction
What are the autonomic nuclei of the medulla oblongata
Cardiovascular centers
respiratory rythmicity centers
additional centers of emesis , deglutition, coughing , hiccupping, sneezing
What are the sensory and motor nuclei of the five cranial nerves found in medulla oblongata
Auditory/ vestibular glossopharyngeal Vagus accessory hypoglossal
What are the relay nuclei of the middle of oblongata
Nucleus gracilis nucleus cuneatus for somatic sensory information to thalamus 
Olivary nuclei For relay from spinal cord cerebral cortex and brainstem to cerebellar cortex
What is the reticular formation
An extensive network of neurons that runs through the medulla and projects to thalaMus nuclei that influence large areas of the cerebral cortex
What is the function of the reticular formation
Filter repetitive stimuli
Allow passages of infrequent or important stimuli to the cerebral cortex
Keep the cerebral cortex alert and awake
Somatic motor control which gives rise to reticulospinal tract for tone, balance , posture ,
Relays eyes and ears signals to cerebellum
Gaze center to track and fixate object
central pattern generator for rythmic signals to the muscles of breathing and swallowing
Visceral autonomic function to control sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow
Sleep and consciousness through projection to the thalamus and cerebral cortex
Pain modulation By allowing pain signals from lower body to go to the cerebral cortex and is also the origin of the descending analgesic pathways by blocking transmission of some pain signals to the brain
What are the two centers in the reticular formation
The respiratory center
the cardiac center
What irreversible states happens when there’s injury to the reticular formation
Coma
What is habituation
Brain learned to ignore repetitive meaningless stimuli while remaining sensitive to others
What are the two possible side of her nation in the brain
Transtentorial
Foramen magnum
What is the locked in syndrome
syndrome that follows coma With largely immobile and limited responsiveness
Due to injury to pons anterior nrainstem
What are the signs and symptoms of a vegetative state
Unresponsiveness to exterior stimuli open eyelids when feeding experiences sleep wake cycle grinding teeth shedding tears don’t require life supportive device intact brainstem no cognitive function
What is bulbar palsy
Defects of cranial nerve 9 to 12
Bulbar palsy sumptoms
Dysphagia
nasal regurgitation
slurred speech
Absence gag reflects
What are the key brainstem Symptoms
Nystagmus internuclear ophtalmoplegia disorder of conjugate gaze vertigo facial weakness dysarthria gait disturbance ataxia signs of brain stem test
What are the signs of brainstem death
Irreversible loss of consciousness
Apnea
no brainstem reflexes like pupillary light reflex, corneal reflex, cough reflex, gag reflex , no motor response to pain
Primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
Tremor at rest Muscle rigidity stooped posture expression less face slow movements poor balance and coordination
