Brainstem

Question 1

What are some signs and symptoms of acoustic neuroma? Are acoustic neuromas generally benign or malignant? Where do they usually grow? What are some possible complications of surgical removal of acoustic neuroma?

Answer 1

-“ringing or buzzing” sounds, hearing loss
-benign, slow-growing tumors
-

Question 2

The glossopharyngeal nerve provides sensory innervation to which structures?

Answer 2

provides sensory innervation to the nasopharynx and oropharynx

Question 3

What are some signs and symptoms of lesions to the glossopharyngeal nerve?

Answer 3

To be written

Question 4

What does “vagus” mean, and why is this an apt name for the vagus nerve?

Answer 4

-“vagus” means wandering
-the vagus nerve is the largest nerve in the body and wanders from organ to organ

Question 5

Which 3 nerves supply taste afferents to the tongue and epiglottis? Which brainstem nucleus is the target of these afferents?

Answer 5

• CN VII, CN IX, CN X supply taste afferents to the tongue and epiglottis
  -synapse in the solitary tract nucleus (where taste is processed)

Question 6

What is a common consequences of lesion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Answer 6

hoarseness

Question 7

Which two muscles does the spinal accessory nerve innervate?

Answer 7

trapezius and sternocleidomastoid

Question 8

What does CN XII innervate?

Answer 8

innervates the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue

Question 9

What is the effect of an upper motor neuron lesion of CN XII?