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Brainstem Flashcards

1
Q

Sagittal section through the brainstem

A
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2
Q

Name the structures of the prosencephalon (forebrain)

A

Telencephalon - cerebral hemispheres/cerebrum

Diencephalon - between brain

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3
Q

Name the 3 structures of the rhombencephalon (hindbrain)

A

Metencephalon - pons

Myelencephalon - medulla

Metencephalon - roof portion (cerebellum)

*** NOTE: hindbrain does not include midbrain

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4
Q

What structures surround the brainstem

A

Brainstem lies anterior to cerebellum

Superiorly, continuous with the diencephalon

Medulla is continuous with the spinal cord

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5
Q

What structure is bulbar palsy associated with

A

Medulla

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6
Q

Function of brainstem

A
  • Vital role in basic attention, arousal & consciousness
  • Passes information between the spinal-cord and the cerebrum
  • located in an area near bony protrusions, making it vulnerable to damage during trauma
  • cranial nerve exit points
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7
Q

What cranial nerves arise from the brainstem

A

CN 3-12

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8
Q

Sagittal section through the brain

A
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9
Q

Coronal section through brain & brainstem

A
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10
Q

What feature tells you that you’re in the brainstem specifically the midbrain

A

Substantia nigra

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11
Q

Name the structures on the posterior aspect of the brainstem

A
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12
Q

Posterior aspect of the brainstem

A
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13
Q

Where does the tegmentum lie

A
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14
Q

Locations of the pyramid, tegmentum and tectum of the

  • medulla
  • pons
  • midbrain
A
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15
Q

What features define the anterior surface of the midbrain

A
  • Interpeduncular fossa - deep depression in the midline
  • Cerebral peduncles
  • Posterior perforated substance - small BVs perforate floor
  • Oculomotor nerve emerges from groove on medial side
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16
Q

What features define the posterior surface of the midbrain

A

Superior & inferior colliculi (corpora quadrigemina)

Trochlear nerve emerges below inferior colliculi

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17
Q

What are superior colliculi responsible for

A

Visual centres for visual reflexes

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18
Q

What are inferior colliculi responsible for

A

Lower auditory centres

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19
Q

What are the internal structures of the midbrain

A

Cerebral peduncles

Crus cerebri - descending axonal tracts

Cerebral aqueduct

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20
Q

How is the cerebral peduncle divided

A

By pigmented substantia nigra

ANTERIOR - crus cerebri

POSTERIOR - tegmentum

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21
Q

What are crus cerebri

A

Descending axonal tracts

22
Q

Structure of cerebral aqueduct

What lies posterior to the cerebral aqueduct

A

Lined by ependymal cells

Surrounded by central grey matter - periaqueductal grey

TECTUM lies posterior to cerebral aqueduct

23
Q

What is the superior colliculi

What is the function of the SC

A
  • Large nucleus of grey matter
  • Part of visual system
  • Afferent corticotectal fibres from visual cortex - occipital lobe and frontal eye field of frontal lobe
  • Controls eye movement
24
Q

What defining feature lies at the level of the superior colliculi

A

RED NUCLEUS

  • Grey matter mass between cerebral aqueduct and substantia nigra
  • Redish hue due to iron containing pigment in cytoplasm of neurons
  • Fibres pass to spinal cord via rubrospinal tract
  • Motor control
25
Function of the inferior colliculi
* Nucleus of grey matter * Receives auditory info * Afferent auditory fibre → inferior colliculus * Efferent fibres → thalamus → auditory cortex of temporal lobe
26
What is the substantia nigra
* Dopaminergic neurons between crus cerebri & tegmentum * Melanin pigment within cytoplasm of neurons * Muscle tone - Parkinsons (degeneration of dopaminergic neurons) * In all midbrain levels
27
What structures can be found throughout the entire length of the midbrain
Cerebral aqueduct Substantia nigra
28
What cranial nerves can be seen emerging from the pons
29
What do the nuclei and tracts in the pons do
Relay info to and from cerebellum
30
What cranial nerve nuclei lie in the pons Function of nuclei in pons
Sensory and motor nuclei for CN V, VI, VII, VIII Nuclei involved in control of respiration
31
Structure of pons
32
Features of the anterior surface of the pons
* Many transverse fibres converge on each side - middle cerebellar peduncle * Midline - shallow basilar groove * Anterolateral surface - trigeminal nerve * Pontomedullary junction - abducent, facial, vestibulocochlear nerve
33
Features of the posterior surface of the pons
* Triangular shape - forms upper half of floor of 4th ventricle * Limited laterally by superior cerebellar peduncles * Divided symmetrically by median sulcus * Inferior medial eminence expanded to form the FACIAL COLLICULUS
34
What is the sulcus limitans
Divided the alar from basilar plate in embryology =\> divided sensory from motor in posterior and anterior grey matter
35
What is the facial colliculus
Expansion of inferior medial eminence Nucleus of CN VI, but axons of facial nerve sweep around it
36
Describe the internal structure of the pons (anterior and posterior) What pathway is the pons a part of
Posterior part - tegmentum Anterior part - basal part - pontine nuclei with transverse pontocerebellar fibres Part of corticopontocerebellar pathway
37
Where does the corticopontocerebellar pathway travel
38
Function of medulla oblongata
Autonomic nuclei controlled visceral activities (reflex centres) CV centres - cardiac centres & vasomotor centres Respiratory rhythmicity centres
39
Describe the anterior surface of the medulla
* Anterior median fissure - continuous with fissure of spinal cord * Pyramid - swelling on each side of the fissure (Corticospinal fibres) - inferior pyramid - decussation of pyramids * Olives - posterolateral to pyramids - underlying olivary nucleus * Hypoglossal nerve between olive and pyramid * Inferior cerebellar peduncles posterior to olives - connecting groove site of glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory nerves
40
What nerve lies between the olive and pyramid
Hypoglossal nerve
41
Where do the inferior cerebellar peduncles lie What connects to them
Posterior to olives Connecting groove site of glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory nerves
42
Describe the features of the posterior surface of the medulla
SUPERIOR - lower part of floor of 4th ventricle INFERIOR - continuous with spinal cord Posterior median sulcus - gracile tubercle on each side of the sulcus, contains the gracile nucleus
43
What structure lies lateral to the gracile tubercle
Cuneate tubercle
44
Superior part of medulla
Pyramids formed by pyramidal tracts Olive formed by the inferior olivary nucleus - associated with muscle movement
45
Inferior part of medulla Decussation of \_\_\_\_\_
Central canal Decussation of pyramidal/corticospinal tract - most corticospinal fibres cross the median plane and continue down the spinal cord as the lateral corticospinal tract Fasciculus gracilis & cuneatus - continue to ascend superiorly posterior to central grey matter
46
Overview of decussation at inferior medulla
47
Lateral & posterior view of brainstem
48
Name the centres in the pons and medulla
49
Arterial supply of midbrain
Posterior cerebral a. Posterior communicating a.
50
Arterial supply of pons
Anterior inferior cerebellar a. Superior cerebellar a. Pontine arteries
51
Arterial supply of medulla
Posterior & inferior cerebellar a. Anterior and posterior spinal arteries - branches of vertebral

CNS (36 decks)

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