Brainstem Flashcards
Name the three important structures to do with sensory and motor function found in the brainstem
- Descending tracts in cerebral peduncles
- Ascending tracts in reticular formation
- Various nuclei
What else is the brainstem involved in
respiration, consciousness, CV control, alertness, awareness
name the midbrain areas of the brain in the brainstem
tectum, tegmentum (floor and sub nigra) cerebral peduncles
name the hindbrain areas of the brain in the brainstem
pons .medulla. reticula formation. cerebellum
What are the input and output tracts of it the inferior conniculus and what is their function
cochlear nuclei in brainstem —-IC—-> med geniculate body
- relays auditory info
What are the input and output tracts of it the superior conniculus and what is their function
retina, visual cortex —-SC—-> pulvinar —->cortex (motor)
-eye orientation / movement
What are the input and output tracts of it the mamillary bodies and what is their function
cingulate, hippocampus, hypothal, amygdala —MB—> ANT nucleus of thalamus —> cingulate
-episodic(hippocampus), implicit(cingulate) memory
where do the olives output to and function
cerebellum
-cerebellar motor learning
Where does the cortico bulbar tract synapse with LMN?
brain stem nuclei
- What does the rubrospinal tract do ?
2. where is its input form
- controls upper distal muscles (excitation of flexor, veloity control)
- spinocerebellar tract
- what does the tectospinal tract do?
2. where is its input from
- head orientation to visual stimuli
2. superior colliculus (retina and visual cortex)
name the two parts of the vestibulospinal tract and where they run
medial vestibular nucleus - BILAR to ventral horns
lat vestibular nucleus - IPSILAT to interneurones
vestibulospinal tract - role of
- medial vestibular tract
- lat vestibular tract
- innervates muscles of the head
2. extensor muscles
where does the vestibular nuclei receive input from
cerebellum (cuneocerebellum) + inner ear - vestibulocochlear nerve
Name the two parts of the reticulspinal tract and where they run
- medial pontine tracts - pontine reticular formation IPSILAT
- lateral medullary tracts - medullaru reticular formation IPSILAT
reticulspinal tract - role of
- medial pontine tracts
- lateral medullary tracts
both control posture and facillitate and inhibit movement
- controls extension of leg muscles
- inhibitory
where does the reticulospinal tract receive input from
spinocerebellar
what is the reticular formation and what does it contain
core of the brainstem - grey matter, composed of group of interconnected nuclei
descending reticulospinal tract (and other projection systems)
What is Reticular activating system and how is it characterised
ascending path from midbrain that controls arousal and sleep wake cycle
by NT
- What are Laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) and pedunculopontine nucleus (PPT)
- what do they contain
- where do they project
- what would happen if you injured your LDT or PPT pathways
- two main branches of RAS at the midbrain
- acetylcholine
- project to the thalamus and cortex
(The other neurotransmitters project to the hypothalamus and the cortex) - impaired consciousness
how do you asses brain stem lesions
looking at the functionality of cranial nerves
what is Wallenberg/ lateral medullary syndrome
spinal trigeminal nucleus
spinothalamic tract
nucleus ambigious
inf cerebellar peduncle
symptoms of Wallenberg/ lateral medullary syndrome
loss of pain/ temp in face
loss of sensation
hoarseness/ swallowing
lack of movement / coordination
