Brainstem Anatomy & Reticular Formation

Question 1

Three broad functions of the brainstem

Answer 1

Conduit
Cranial Nerves
Integrative functions

Question 2

The conduit functions of the brainstem are done with these formations

Answer 2

White matter tracts

Question 3

The integrative functions of the brainstem happen in this area

Answer 3

Reticular formation

Question 4

Three main subdivisions of the brainstem

Answer 4

Medulla
Pons
Midbrain

Question 5

This end of the medulla is closed

Answer 5

Caudal

Question 6

This end of the medula is open

Answer 6

Rostral

Question 7

This is the marker between the caudal and rostral medulla

Answer 7

Obex

Question 8

These formations hold the cerebellum to the brainstem

Answer 8

Superior, medial and inferior cerebellar peduncles

Question 9

Posterior columns of the spinal cord that travel up the Fasciculus cuneatus and Fasciculus gracilis synapse under these bumps

Answer 9

Cuneate and Gracile tubercles

Question 10

These form where the 4th ventricle start to emerge

Answer 10

Cuneate and Gracile tubercles

Question 11

These three cranial nerves are found on the medulla

Answer 11

IX, X, XI

Question 12

This is the largest nucleus in the medulla. It is involved in motor control. It is a major source of input to the cerebellum.

Answer 12

Olive

Question 13

This cranial nerve is a major landmark of the midpons

Answer 13

CN V

Question 14

This cranial nerve is found in the groove between the pons and medulla

Answer 14

CN VI

Question 15

CN VII and CN VIII emerge from the pons in this area

Answer 15

Cerebellar pontine angle

Question 16

This is the ventricular cavity for the midbrain

Answer 16

Cerebral aqueduct

Question 17

Part of the midbrain involved with vision processing and tracking eye movements

Answer 17

Superior colliculus

Question 18

The auditory pathway of the midbrain

Answer 18

Inferior colliculus

Question 19

This cranial nerve comes out between the cerebral peduncle in an area called the interpeduncular fossae

Answer 19

CN III

Question 20

The only cranial nerve that comes up from the dorsal surface of the brain stem

Answer 20

CN IV

Question 21

Pineal tumors press on these areas causing eye movement disorders, specifically with vertical gaze

Answer 21

Superior and inferior colliculli

Question 22

All brainstem levels rostral to the obex have these three areas

Answer 22

Tegmentum
Tectum
Other

Question 23

Tissue anterior to the ventricle in levels of the brainstem rostral to the obex

Answer 23

Tegmentum

Question 24

What is found in the tegmentum?

Answer 24

Cranial nerve nuclei

Question 25

Tissue posterior to the ventricle in levels of the brainstem rostral to the obex

Answer 25

Tectum

Question 26

The descending motor pathway, the corticospinal tract, is found in this area of the brainstem

Answer 26

Anterior

Question 27

This sensory ascending pathway is found in the anterolateral area of the brainstem

Answer 27

Spinothalmatic tract

Question 28

This sensory ascending pathway is more variable in its location, but is always medial to the spinothalmatic tract

Answer 28

Medial lemniscus

Question 29

The anterior and medial brainstem are supplied by these arteries

Answer 29

Perforating arteries

Question 30

These arteries supply the lateral brainstem and cerebellum

Answer 30

Superior, Anterior Inferior, and Posterior Inferior Circumferential arteries

Question 31

Functions of the special sensory nerves

Answer 31

Hearing | Equilibrium

Question 32

These type of nerves innervate muscles derived embryologically from the pharnygeal arches

Answer 32

Branchial motor

Question 33

Central core of the brainstem that extends into the cerebrumas the hypothalamus

Answer 33

Reticular formation

Question 34

The reticular formation is important in the regulation of:

Answer 34

``` Posture Some sterotypic motor behaviors Regulating internal environment Pain regulation Sleep and wakefulness Emotional tone ```

Question 35

Zone of the reticular formation that is immediately adjacent to the sagittal plane

Answer 35

Raphe

Question 36

The raphe of the reticular formation is a source of this

Answer 36

Seratonin

Question 37

Reticular formation zone that is the source of most of the ascending and descending projections.

Answer 37

Medial zone

Question 38

Where is the lateral zone of the reticular formation most prominent?

Answer 38

Rostral medulla | Caudal pons

Question 39

The lateral zone of the reticular formation is primarily involved in these activities

Answer 39

Cranial nerve reflexes | Visceral functions

Question 40

The reticular formation is a major alternative to this tract in regulating spinal motor neurons

Answer 40

Corticospinal tract

Question 41

The vertical gaze center is located here

Answer 41

Midbrain

Question 42

The pons is where this gaze center is located

Answer 42

Horozontal

Question 43

Three parts of the medulla "vital center"

Answer 43

Heart rate Respiration Swallowing, vomiting

Question 44

Reticular formation for mastication is located here

Answer 44

Supratrigeminal nucleus of the pons

Question 45

What causes bruxism?

Answer 45

Co-contraction of the jaw muscles

Question 46

What are the two theories of the cause of bruxism?

Answer 46

Peripheral causes theory | Central causes theory

Question 47

This theory of bruxism involves malocclusion resulting in unequal contacting of the teeth

Answer 47

Peripheral causes theory

Question 48

This theory of bruxism involves sleep related dysfunctions

Answer 48

Central causes theory

Question 49

This area of the rostral midbrain is a well described pain supression system

Answer 49

Periaqueductal gray

Question 50

The periaqueductal gray receives pain information from these fibers

Answer 50

Spinomesencephalic

Question 51

The reticular formation responds to changes in ______ and projects to the brainstem autonomic nuclei and spinal cord

Answer 51

Environmental changes

Question 52

These reticular formation projections work together to modulate cortical activity

Answer 52

Thalmic intralaminar nuclear profections | Monoamine reticular projections

Question 53

Bilateral damage to this part of the midbrain results in prolonged comas

Answer 53

Ascending reticular activating system

Question 54

Norepinepherine is found in these areas of the medulla

Answer 54

Solitary nucleus | Ventrolateral medulla

Question 55

The norepinepherine found in the solitary nucleus is used in this function

Answer 55

Memory enhancement

Question 56

Norepinepherine that is used to regulate pain is released in this area of the medulla

Answer 56

Trigeminal spinal nucleus of the ventrolateral medulla

Question 57

Where is norepinepherine found in the rostral pons?

Answer 57

Locus ceruleus

Question 58

The norepinepherine found in the locus ceruleus is used in these functions

Answer 58

Cortex vigilance and attention

Question 59

Norepinepherine is released in the cortex from the Locus ceruleus in response to this

Answer 59

Environmental stimuli

Question 60

Decreased levels of norepinepherine can cause this

Answer 60

Depression

Question 61

Depression that is often found in Parkinson's patients is a result of this

Answer 61

The loss of Locus ceruleus neurons

Question 62

Increased levels of norepinepherine can cause this

Answer 62

Panic disorder

Question 63

Where are the dopaminergic neurons found in the mid brain?

Answer 63

Substantia nigra | Ventral tegmantal area

Question 64

Dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is used in this function

Answer 64

Motor activity

Question 65

Organized thinking and planning are found in these fibers of the ventral tegmental area

Answer 65

Mesocortical fibers

Question 66

The mesolimbic fibers of the ventral tegmental area are involved in these functions

Answer 66

Emotional reward | Drug dependency

Question 67

This area is implicated in schizophrenia

Answer 67

Ventral tegmental area

Question 68

Reduced dopamine in this area leads to disorganized thinking in schizophenia patients

Answer 68

Frontal lobe

Question 69

Increased dopamine in these areas of the brain lead to hallucinations in schizophrenia patients

Answer 69

Limbic system | Temporal lobe

Question 70

These neurons are located in all levels of the brainstem in the area of the raphe

Answer 70

Serotonergic neurons

Question 71

Serotonergic neurons from the midbrain to all regions of the cortex are involved in this

Answer 71

Attention

Question 72

Low levels of serotonin leads to these activities

Answer 72

High carb consumption | Binge eating

Question 73

High levels of serotonin lead to these activities

Answer 73

Compulsive behavior | Anorexia