Brainstem Anatomy

Question 1

What are the three main functions of the brainstem?

Answer 1

1. conduit (information goes to cortex and spinal cord) 2. cranial nerves 3. integrative (complex motor patterns)

Question 2

Where do you find the superior colliculus? What is its role?

Answer 2

rostral midbrain role: visual

Question 3

Where do you find the inferior colliculus? What is its role?

Answer 3

caudal midbrain role: auditory

Question 4

Where do the rootlets for CN XII exit?

Answer 4

CN XII rootlets exit between the olive and the pyramid (preolivary sulcus)

Question 5

What are some distinguishing characteristics of the caudal medulla?

Answer 5

1. central canal 2. gracilis and cuneate nuclei & tracts 3. internal arcuate fibers form medial lemniscus 4. pyramidal decussation

Question 6

What are some distinguishing characteristics of the rostral medulla?

Answer 6

1. fourth ventricle 2. inferior olivary nuclei 3. XII rootlets often visible 4. internal arcuate fibers from IO to ICP 5. pyramids

Question 7

What are some distinguishing characteristics of the caudal pons?

Answer 7

1. Inferior cerebellum peduncle: mostly within cerebellum at this level 2. Middle cerebellar peduncle attaches pons to cerebellum 3. ML: horizontal with feet lateral (compare to rostral medulla) 4. Fourth ventricle present

Question 8

What are some distinguishing characteristics of the rostral pons?

Answer 8

1. Superior cerebellar peduncle 2. ML: horizontal with feet lateral, approaches STT 3. Small ventricle space: at opening of aqueduct

Question 9

What are some distinguishing characteristics of the caudal midbrain?

Answer 9

1. Inferior colliculi 2. IV 3. Decussation of SCP

Question 10

What are some distinguishing characteristics of the rostral midbrain?

Answer 10

1. Superior colliculi 2. III 3. Red nucleus 4. Substantia nigra

Question 11

Which of the following is in the rostral midbrain? A) Red nucleus B) Superior colliculi C) Substantia nigra D) Oculomotor nucleus E) All the above

Answer 11

E) all of the above

Question 12

Which of the following is in the pons? A) Middle cerebellar peduncle B) Inferior olivary nuclei C) Cerebral aqueduct D) Pyramidal decussation E) Gracile nuclei

Answer 12

A) middle cerebellar peduncle

Question 13

Which of the following is in the caudal medulla? A) Inferior cerebellar peduncle B) Middle cerebellar peduncle C) Pyramidal decussation D) Hypoglossal nerve nucleus E) Inferior olivary nuclei

Answer 13

C) pyramidal decussation

Question 14

What separates sensory and motor nuclei in the brainstem and spinal cord?

Answer 14

sulcus limitans

Question 15

Which cranial nerves have motor axons for somatic skeletal muscle, somatic motor fibers?

Answer 15

CN III, IV, VI, XII

Question 16

Which cranial nerves are special sensory?

Answer 16

CN I, II, VIII

Question 17

Which cranial nerves are branchiomeric?

Answer 17

CN V, VII, IX, X, and XI

Question 18

What section of the brainstem does this image come from?

Answer 18

caudal midbrain

Question 19

What section of the brainstem does this image come from?

Answer 19

rostral midbrain

Question 20

What section of the brainstem does this image come from?

Answer 20

rostral pons

Question 21

What section of the brainstem does this image come from?

Answer 21

caudal pons

Question 22

What section of the brainstem does this image come from?

Answer 22

caudal medulla

Question 23

What section of the brainstem does this image come from?

Answer 23

rostral medulla