Brainstem Flashcards
What are the 3 areas of the brainstem
Midbrain, Pons, medulla
Where is the cerebellum found in relation to the brainstem
Posterior to the pons and the 4th ventricle
What are the ascending tracts in the brainstem
Anterolateral system
Posterior column-Medial
Lemniscus system
Spinocerebellar tracts
What are the descending tracts of the brainstem
Corticospinal tracts
Corticobulbar tracts
What is the connection from the brainstem to the cerebellum
from pontine nuclei
What are the intrinsic systems of the brainstem
Reticular formation
Neurotransmitter systems
Central pattern generators
What pathway are the inferior colliculi of the midbrain important for
auditory pathway
What pathway are the superior colliculi of the midbrain important for
visual reflexes
What are the cerebellar peduncles and where are they found
found in pons, bundles of fibres that connect the brainstem and the cerebellum
What are the 3 cerebellar peduncles
The inferior, middle, and superior cerebellar peduncles
What separates the fasciculus gracilis and the fasciculus cuneatus? what do they overlie?
a posterior median sulcus
Overlie the ascending posterior column tracts that carry sensory information
What do the posterior column tracts carry sensory information regarding
proprioception, fine or discriminative touch and vibration
The central canal opens into the fourth ventricles at the ____
obex
Where is the brainstem do you find the cerebral peduncles?
anterior midbrain
Where is the brainstem do you find the cerebellar peduncles
Anterior pons
Where is the brainstem do you find the pyramids
anterior medulla
where in the brainstem do you find the olives
anterior medulla
Where is the brainstem do you find the anterior median fissure
anterior medulla betweeen the pyramids
Where is the brainstem do you find the pyramidal decussation
anterior medulla
Where is the brainstem do you find the Superio colliculus
posterior midbrain
Where is the brainstem do you find the cerebellar peduncles
posterior pons
Where is the brainstem do you find the trochlear nerve
posterior midbrain
Where is the brainstem do you find the inferior colliculus
posterior midbrain
Where is the brainstem do you find the 4th ventricle
posterior pons to the posterior medullar
Where is the brainstem do you find the obex
posterior medulla
How do you differentiate the rostral to the caudal medulla
rostral - open to 4th ventricle
Caudal - closed over CSF of 4th ventricle
What is the area of the brainstem which sits above the 4th ventricle called?
the tectum
What is the area of the brainstem which sits below the 4th ventricle called?
The tegmentum
What is the area of the brainstem which sits below the tegmentum called?
the base
CN I
Olfactory
CN II
optic
CN III
oculomotor
CN IV
Trochlear
CN V
Trigeminal
CN VI
Abducens
CN VII
Facial
CN VIII
Vestibulocochlear
CN IX
Glossopharyngeal
CN X
Vagus
CN XI
Accessory
CNXII
Hypoglossal
What is the function of the superior cerebellar peduncle
connects pons to cerebellum
In the brainstem where are the motor nuclei vs the sensory nuclei
motor nuclei are near midline while sensory nuclei and more lateral
FOr the motor nuclei, what is the order of the different nerve types from medial to lateral
Medial: general somatic efferent Special visceral efferent General visceral efferent Lateral
Within the sensory nuclei what is the order of nerves from medial to lateral
Medial General visceral afferent Special visceral afferent General somatic afferent Special somatic afferent
Why are the special nerves
not developped from somites
What divides the medial motor nuclei from the lateral sensory nuclei
sulcus limitans
What are special visceral afferents
taste
What are special somatic afferents
Hearing + balance structures of inner hear
Special visceral efferents originate from ____
pharyngeal arches
general visceral efferents are…
parasympathetics
Sensory afferents are derived from…
alar plate
motor efferents are derived from _____
basal plate
Special visceral efferents supply
skeletal muscle derived from brachial arches
Most of the innervation to the motor nuclei of the brainstem is from _____ side of the cortex
both sides
Where is the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve
the pons
Where is the motor nucleus of the facial nerve
pons
Where is the hypoglassal nerve nucleus
medulla
Where is the accessory nerve nucleus
cervical spinal cord
Where is the nucleus ambiguus
medulla
In the brainstem, what is located in the medial zone? in the lateral zone?
efferent and motor
afferent and sensory
What is located in the raphe nuclei
serotonergic
Which breathing centers are located in the medulla
those involved in modulating respiratory patterns
i.e. anterior and posterior respiratory group and nucleus solitarius
What breathing centers are located in the upper spinal cord
Those active during inspiration and expiration
- Phrenic nerve (for diaphragm)
- Thoracic spinal nerves (for thoracic inspiratory and expiratory mucles)
