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Neuroanatomy > Brainstem > Flashcards

Brainstem Flashcards

1
Q

Where is the brainstem located?

A

Between the cerebrum and spinal cord

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2
Q

What are the three components of the brainstem?

A

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata

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3
Q

What does the brainstem consist of in terms of grey/white matter?

A

Deep grey matter surrounded by white matter fibre tracts

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4
Q

What is the function of the brainstem?

A

Produces automatic behaviours necessary for survival e.g., breathing

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5
Q

Which embryonic structure does the midbrain develop from?

A

Mesencephalon

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6
Q

Which embryonic structure does the pons develop from?

A

Metencephalon

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7
Q

Which embryonic structure does the medulla oblongata develop from?

A

Myelencephalon

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8
Q

How many cranial nerves are there?

A

12 pairs

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9
Q

What is the first cranial nerve?

A

Olfactory

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10
Q

What is the second cranial nerve?

A

Optic

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11
Q

What is the third cranial nerve?

A

Occulomotor

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12
Q

What is the fourth cranial nerve?

A

Trochlear

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13
Q

What is the fifth cranial nerve?

A

Trigeminal

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14
Q

What is the sixth cranial nerve?

A

Abducens

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15
Q

What is the seventh cranial nerve?

A

Facial

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16
Q

What is the eighth cranial nerve?

A

Vestibulocochlear

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17
Q

What is the ninth cranial nerve?

A

Glossopharyngeal

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18
Q

What is the tenth cranial nerve?

A

Vagus

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19
Q

What is the eleventh cranial nerve?

A

Accessory

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20
Q

What is the twelfth cranial nerve?

A

Hypoglossal

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21
Q

Which cranial nerve is the only one to emerge from the posterior aspect of the brain stem?

A

Trochlear

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22
Q

Which cranial nerves are purely sensory?

A

CN1 - Olfactory

CN2 - Optic

CN8 - Vestibulocochlear

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23
Q

Which cranial nerves are purely motor?

A

CN3 - oculomotor

CN4 - trochlear

CN6 - abducens

CN11 - accessory

CN12 - hypoglossal

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24
Q

Which cranial nerves are both sensory and motor?

A

CN5 - trigeminal

CN7 - facial

CN9 - glossopharyngeal

CN10 - vagus

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25
Q

What are the nuclei in the medulla associated with?

A

Autonomic control

Cranial nerves

Motor/sensory relays

26
Q

What autonomic nuclei centres are found in the medulla?

A

Cardiovascular centers

Respiratory rhythmicity centers

Emesis

Coughing

Sneezing

27
Q

Which cranial nerves have nuclei in the medulla?

A

CN8 - vestibulocochlear

CN9 - glossopharyngeal

CN10 - vagus

CN11 - accessory

CN12 - hypoglossal

28
Q

Which three relay nuclei are present in the medulla?

A

Nucleus gracilis

Nucleus cuneatus

Olivary nuclei

29
Q

What does the nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus do in the medulla?

A

Relay somatic sensory information to the thalamus

30
Q

What does the olivary nuclei in the medulla do?

A

Relays information from spinal cord, cerebral cortex, and brainstem to cerebellar cortex

31
Q

What two ridges are visible on the ventral side of the medulla?

A

Medullary pyramids

32
Q

What are the medullary pyramids formed by?

A

Large motor corticospinal tracts

33
Q

Where do most fibres decussate?

A

Medulla-spinal cord junction

34
Q

What features are seen on a Weigert stain of a caudal medulla section?

A

Ventral horn is smaller

Dorsal horn is replaced by trigeminal sensory nucleus

Clear decussation of pyramids ventrally

35
Q

What features are seen on a Weigert stain of a mid medulla section?

A

Dorsal column terminates

Prominent gracile and cuneate nuclei

36
Q

What features are seen on a Weiger stain of a rostral medulla section?

A

Clear medial lemniscus at ventral midline

Inferior olivary nucleus

Hypoglossal nucleus

37
Q

The pons contains nuclei for which four cranial nerves?

A

CN5 - trigeminal

CN6 - abducens

CN7 - facial

CN8 - vestibulocochlear

38
Q

Which centres in the pons work with the medulla to maintain respiratory rhythm?

A

Apneustic and pneumotaxic

39
Q

Which part of the brainstem is the raphe nuclei and reticular activating system found?

40
Q

What is the tegmentum in the pons?

A

Dorsal portion of the pons, posterior to medial lemniscus

41
Q

Are sensory fibres located posterior or anterior to motor fibres in the pons?

42
Q

What features are observed in a caudal section of the pons?

A

Trapezoid body between medial lemniscus and pontocerebellar fibers

43
Q

What features are observed in a rostral section of the pons?

A

Superior cerebellar peduncles are prominent

44
Q

Which nuclei are present in the midbrain?

A

Red nuclei

Cranial nerve nuclei
CN3 - occulomotor
CN4 - trochlear

Substantia nigra

45
Q

Why is the red nucleus called ‘red’?

A

Highly vascularised nucleus

46
Q

What information does the red nucleus receive and what information does it transmit?

A

Receives from cerebrum and cerebellum

Transmits information on subconscious motor commands concerned with muscle tone and posture

47
Q

Where is the substantia nigra located in the midbrain?

A

Lateral to red nucleus

48
Q

What naturally occurring pigment does the substantia nigra contain?

49
Q

What causes the substantia nigra to be darker in colour?

50
Q

Which brain stem nucleus contains melanin?

A

Substantia nigra in the midbrain

51
Q

Which neurotransmitter does the substantia nigra release?

52
Q

What effect does the substantia nigra have on the basal nuclei?

A

Inhibits the excitatory neurons of the basal nuclei

53
Q

Which three tracts are present in the midbrain?

A

Motor tracts - pyramidal system

Sensory axons - spinothalamic

Cerebral peduncles

54
Q

What are the two segments of the midbrain and what separates them?

A

Anterior (tegmentum)

Posterior (tectum)

Separated by the cerebral aqueduct

55
Q

Where is the corpora quadrigemina located in the midbrain?

A

Dorsal surface of midbrain

56
Q

What is the function of the corpora quadrigemina in the midbrain?

A

Relay center for vision and hearing

57
Q

What two structures make up the corpora quadrigemina?

A

2 superior colliculi
2 inferior colliculi

58
Q

What sensory process are the two superior colliculi in the corpora quadrigemina of the midbrain involved in?

59
Q

What sensory process are the two inferior colliculi in the corpora quadrigemina of the midbrain involved in?

60
Q

What structures are visible on the caudal section of the midbrain?

A

Inferior colliculus
Periaqueductal grey matter
Medial longitudinal fasciculus

61
Q

What structures on the rostral section of the midbrain?

A

Superior colliculus
Red nucleus
Substantia nigra
Crus cerebri

Neuroanatomy (14 decks)

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