Brainstem Flashcards
What are the 3 main fxns of the brainstem?
1) conduit (ascending and descending pathways pass through)
2) integrative functions (control respiration, cardiovascular activity)
3) hosts cranial nerves (cranial nerve nuclei are here)
What is the function of the reticular formation?
Helps with the integrative functions of the brainstem
What does the pons do an especially good job of acting as a relay center for?
Info between the cortex and the cerebellum
Main functions of pons?
1) Relay center
2) Respiratory center from medulla extends into pons
Functions of midbrain?
1) Pathway to and from cerebrum
2) Intersection between brainstem and cerebrum
3) Contains auditory and visual reflex centers
What are the functions of the reticular formation?
Maintains level of alertness through projection to many areas of the CNS
Sleep/alertness
Posture
Autonomic functions
What controls LEVEL of consciousness?
Brainstem - how asleep/awake you are
What controls state of consciousness?
Thalamus - how responsive you are to stimuli in your environment
What controls content of consciousness?
Cortex - provides significance and meaning to conscious experiences
What are the 3 components required of normal consciousness?
Level of consciousness
State of consciousness
Content of consciousness
What causes a coma vs. a vegetative state?
A coma is caused by damage to the reticular formation - have no response to stimulation (unconscious)
A vegetative state is caused by extensive cortical damage - still have a sleep wake cycle and may respond to stimuli but lack cognitive fxn (technically unconscious)
What condition can a basilar artery stroke cause?
Locked-in syndrome
