Brainstem

Question 1

Name the three important structures to do with sensory and motor function found in the brainstem

Answer 1

• Descending tracts in cerebral peduncles
• Ascending tracts in reticular formation
• Various nuclei

Question 2

What else is the brainstem involved in

Answer 2

respiration, consciousness, CV control, alertness, awareness

Question 3

name the midbrain areas of the brain in the brainstem

Answer 3

tectum, tegmentum (floor and sub nigra) cerebral peduncles

Question 4

name the hindbrain areas of the brain in the brainstem

Answer 4

pons .medulla. reticula formation. cerebellum

Question 5

What are the input and output tracts of it the inferior conniculus and what is their function

Answer 5

cochlear nuclei in brainstem —-IC—-> med geniculate body
- relays auditory info

Question 6

What are the input and output tracts of it the superior conniculus and what is their function

Answer 6

retina, visual cortex —-SC—-> pulvinar —->cortex (motor)
-eye orientation / movement

Question 7

What are the input and output tracts of it the mamillary bodies and what is their function

Answer 7

cingulate, hippocampus, hypothal, amygdala —MB—> ANT nucleus of thalamus —> cingulate
-episodic(hippocampus), implicit(cingulate) memory

Question 8

where do the olives output to and function

Answer 8

cerebellum

-cerebellar motor learning

Question 9

Where does the cortico bulbar tract synapse with LMN?

Answer 9

brain stem nuclei

Question 10

1. What does the rubrospinal tract do ?

2. where is its input form

Answer 10

1. controls upper distal muscles (excitation of flexor, veloity control)
2. spinocerebellar tract

Question 11

1. what does the tectospinal tract do?

2. where is its input from

Answer 11

1. head orientation to visual stimuli

2. superior colliculus (retina and visual cortex)

Question 12

name the two parts of the vestibulospinal tract and where they run

Answer 12

medial vestibular nucleus - BILAR to ventral horns

lat vestibular nucleus - IPSILAT to interneurones

Question 13

vestibulospinal tract - role of

1. medial vestibular tract
2. lat vestibular tract

Answer 13

1. innervates muscles of the head

2. extensor muscles

Question 14

where does the vestibular nuclei receive input from

Answer 14

cerebellum (cuneocerebellum) + inner ear - vestibulocochlear nerve

Question 15

Name the two parts of the reticulspinal tract and where they run

Answer 15

1. medial pontine tracts - pontine reticular formation IPSILAT
2. lateral medullary tracts - medullaru reticular formation IPSILAT

Question 16

reticulspinal tract - role of

1. medial pontine tracts
2. lateral medullary tracts

Answer 16

both control posture and facillitate and inhibit movement

1. controls extension of leg muscles
2. inhibitory

Question 17

where does the reticulospinal tract receive input from

Answer 17

spinocerebellar

Question 18

what is the reticular formation and what does it contain

Answer 18

core of the brainstem - grey matter, composed of group of interconnected nuclei
descending reticulospinal tract (and other projection systems)

Question 19

What is Reticular activating system and how is it characterised

Answer 19

ascending path from midbrain that controls arousal and sleep wake cycle
by NT

Question 20

1. What are Laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) and pedunculopontine nucleus (PPT)
2. what do they contain
3. where do they project
4. what would happen if you injured your LDT or PPT pathways

Answer 20

1. two main branches of RAS at the midbrain
2. acetylcholine
3. project to the thalamus and cortex
   (The other neurotransmitters project to the hypothalamus and the cortex)
4. impaired consciousness

Question 21

how do you asses brain stem lesions

Answer 21

looking at the functionality of cranial nerves

Question 22

what is Wallenberg/ lateral medullary syndrome

Answer 22

spinal trigeminal nucleus
spinothalamic tract
nucleus ambigious
inf cerebellar peduncle

Question 23

symptoms of Wallenberg/ lateral medullary syndrome

Answer 23

loss of pain/ temp in face
loss of sensation
hoarseness/ swallowing
lack of movement / coordination